State of Umpiring [merged]

[Thrasher97]

The ruck nomination rule, is a farce, it should be simple, if they don't want third man up, then penalise the offending team... Why make it so complicated!!!

[Diocletian]

The ruck nomination rule, is a farce, it should be simple, if they don't want third man up, then penalise the offending team... Why make it so complicated!!!

The problem there is what if both sides do it? Mind you, never saw the big issue with third man up anyway - created more congestion & repeat stoppages I think was the main argument against it. Has the rule change really rectified it that much? Just another "solution"  to an imaginary problem that caused a real problem and makes the game look like an amateur playground sport.

[one-eyed]

Have you noticed the short boundary throw ins this year?

VIDEO: https://x.com/7AFL/status/1926479728325558635

[one-eyed]

Goals stuff Ladder after Round 14



Goals from 50-Metre Penalties




NOTE: Seven clubs (Geelong, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hawthorn, GWS, Melbourne & West Coast) have played 14 games. 10 clubs (Collingwood, Fremantle, Bulldogs, Carlton, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Sydney, St Kilda, North Melbourne & Richmond) have played 13 games. One club (Gold Coast) has played 12 games.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/06/17/the-2025-afl-goals-from-free-kicks-ladder-after-round-14

[one-eyed]

The 2025 Free Kick Ladder - Round 16



Least frees for
1 - GWS Giants (252)
2 - Port Adelaide (256)
3 - Richmond (266)
4 - Essendon (269)
5 - West Coast (271)

Most frees against (player)
43 - Harley Reid (WCE)
40 - Rowan Marshall (STK)
37 - Matt Rowell (GCS)
33 - Brodie Grundy (SYD)
30 - Toby Nankervis (RIC)
29 - Patrick Cripps (CAR)
29 - Tristan Xerri (NM)
27 - Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM)
27 - Max Gawn (MEL)
26 - Jordon Sweet (PA)

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/07/01/the-2025-afl-stuff-ladder-round-16

[mightytiges]

The AFL has confirmed the Judd McVee third umpire overrule was an error and that both clubs have been contacted to concede the mistake. The Demons were only 15 points down at this stage. McVee clearly touched the ball, AFL ARC over ruled the behind call and called it a goal

https://x.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1942152157018620244

The 2022 EF says hi.

The whole point of a third umpire is to prevent howlers, not make them 

[mightytiges]

And the AFL wonders why everyone thinks the standard of umpiring is in crisis. All four 50s tonight have been a joke .

[one-eyed]

Footy fans demand answers over questionable Richmond free kick

James McKern
News Corp
July 28, 2025

Footy fans have been left asking for a please explain over a questionable free kick that unfolded at the MCG on Sunday.

Halfway through the second quarter Richmond were surging forward against Collingwood when Jonty Faull launched one to the 50m arc.

Collingwood’s Harry Perryman found himself right in the perfect spot for the drop of the ball with Tigers forward Steely Green surging in from a distance.

Perryman set himself up to protect the space as Green attempted to launch over the top for a mark of the year contender.

In the end Green soared high onto the shoulder of Perryman and got two hands on the ball before fumbling and crashing to the turf and landing square on his back.

The umpire’s whistle blew almost instantly with the Tigers forward being awarded the free kick for being blocked out.

Perryman was left fuming over the free kick and the Magpies star wasn’t the only one annoyed by the whistle.

Geelong legend Tom Hawkins couldn’t quite understand how Perryman had been penalised on Fox Footy.

“What do you do? He’s trying to protect the space … I’m with the Collingwood faithful here,” Hawkins said.

The Age’s Peter Ryan wrote on X: “That free kick against Harry Perryman for god knows what to Steely Green who was flying for a mark is beyond me. It’s worth watching as I’m not sure I understand the game’s rules from week to week any longer.”

Lenny Phillips wrote: “Did steely green just get a free for trying to take a cool mark in the wet?”

Another irate fan added: “The imbecile masquerading as an umpire who just paid that mark to Steely Green shouldn’t umpire a senior AFL game again.”

Of course not everybody watching on was left angry over the decision with many quick to back the umpire’s call.

One wrote on Instagram: “He took his eyes off the ball this isn’t complicated.”

A second added: “Clear free kick. Not sure why anyone is complaining.”

A third posted: “He took his eyes off the ball to block him intentionally, obvious free kick, if he was guarding the space to purely mark the ball then it should be play on.”

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/stuff/news-story/8f5a87c9d80f7c3658d9cdcd509b053a

[Damo]

It was rubbish

[Tiger Khosh]

It was rubbish

Very very soft but you can see why the umpire paid it. Perryman took his eyes off the ball to look at his opponent and took steelys legs from under him is how the umpires who justify it.

[Damo]

It was rubbish

Very very soft but you can see why the umpire paid it. Perryman took his eyes off the ball to look at his opponent and took steelys legs from under him is how the umpires who justify it.

I can’t see why it was paid
If that’s where footy is headed, leave me out

[Tiger Khosh]

It was rubbish

Very very soft but you can see why the umpire paid it. Perryman took his eyes off the ball to look at his opponent and took steelys legs from under him is how the umpires who justify it.

I can’t see why it was paid
If that’s where footy is headed, leave me out

Don’t think it’s where footy is headed. Don’t think they’d pay it if they had another chance at it but I also don’t think that they’d admit it was a mistake and would justify it with what I commented above.

[Wazza]

Only reason this is even an article is because poor Collingwood got a free kick against in front of goal. Umps will forever make mistakes. Move on to next week Collingwood, you won the game by more than steelys goal.

[Andyy]

It was rubbish

Very very soft but you can see why the umpire paid it. Perryman took his eyes off the ball to look at his opponent and took steelys legs from under him is how the umpires who justify it.

Nah, it was bollocks IMO.

Perryman found the ball drop, checked for oncoming traffic, and simply protected the marking space. No free kick.

I reckon it was payback for the bollocks Nank HTB/Membrey goal.

[Tiger Khosh]

It was rubbish

Very very soft but you can see why the umpire paid it. Perryman took his eyes off the ball to look at his opponent and took steelys legs from under him is how the umpires who justify it.

Nah, it was bollocks IMO.

Perryman found the ball drop, checked for oncoming traffic, and simply protected the marking space. No free kick.

I reckon it was payback for the bollocks Nank HTB/Membrey goal.

They’ve been very consistent in that if you take your eyes off the ball and initiate contact with your opposing player that they will likely pay a free kick.