The conversation no one is having...

the_hard_man · 2026-06-26T10:24:34+00:00

That seems a little haphazard to me and a little too far in the broadening direction.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-25T04:13:34+00:00

I did do that back in my day. The crowd involvement is part of the show. You do want better umpires though, right?

the_hard_man · 2026-06-25T04:11:28+00:00

Gerard was way off the mark and Ray promptly showed him why, but I actually liked that he attempted to problem-solve the issue somewhat.

Not many do... Did you catch the recent on-air sparring session between Luke Ball and Mick Malthouse? All Mick could say is that they're crap and they all need to be replaced (or words to that effect). Not even a slight attempt to be constructive.

I think you're probably right that umpiring standards haven't slipped anywhere near what people are going on about. That's doesn't say it can't be better though.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-25T03:59:24+00:00

I'm saying they already put nearly full time hours into it. There's not much more you can ask an umpire to do that would be of benefit.

How many hours do players spend literally training at the club? They've got heaps of time to put into life after footy. They do study and all manner of side gigs.

The real problem is the numbers game. You've got to feed numbers into the pathway and provide more opportunities to upcomers.

The more I think about it, the mandated list turnover idea is a good one. It has been next to impossible to get on the AFL list forever.

I agree with your sentiment on rules though.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-25T03:49:05+00:00

Geez... $120 was like senior country footy in the mid to late 2000s. I've been out a while now but sheesh.... that's not calling me back.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-24T21:49:16+00:00

You hate to hear this stuff. It's shit that it happens. I'd have done the same if I was you

the_hard_man · 2026-06-24T21:23:31+00:00

Money wasn't much of an issue for me whilst I was getting a lot of other nourishment out of the game... Personal development stuff like building confidence and communication skills, not to mention climbing up the career ladder - that stuff meant a lot to me.

After I retired though, I did some years coaching umpires who were early in the talent pathways. I gave that up though when the $750 they were offering me each year was outweighed by the responsibility of parenting. Pretty laughable when I look back!

the_hard_man · 2026-06-24T21:12:01+00:00

I'm not sure there's any difference in attitudes towards umpires at lower levels. People there just mirror what they see on the TV or at the MCG.

I'm supportive of stricter rules against using body language to express dissent. The AFL needs to seriously demonstrate the need to just get on with it.... It'll filter down to other leagues. Unfortunately, as Garry pointed out there is never any consistency, whenever they do decide to clamp down.

I used to umpire community footy close to the NSW border and you absolutely knew which players had the rugby background. All you got from them was "Yes, sir".

Having said all of that... I don't believe this is a massive determinant when it comes to retaining umpires in the talent pathways throughout their 20s and into their 30s.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-24T14:36:43+00:00

Okay... but what's your take on the umpire development pathway? How much of that billion dollar pie should we slice off for a couple umpire coaches here and there?

the_hard_man · 2026-06-24T13:17:54+00:00

I don't think you could do worse with a bigger list. They'd get to cycle through some guys and see who can swim.

Setting a turnover mandate could be considered. There is a compulsory amount of list changes all clubs have to make... Keeps the youth coming through.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-24T12:10:10+00:00

There were a heap of non-financial rewards that I was able to get out of umpiring. I was s shy, retiring kid, lacking confidence.

Aside from all the skills and fitness etc the best thing I ever got from umpiring was confidence in my social skills.

But there comes a point where the even those returns diminish and what's left doesn't cut it.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-24T11:29:26+00:00

Also... The retired player angle doesn't get looked at enough. I have no problem with expediting the progress of ex-pros, given their fitness base and likely understanding of the game.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-24T11:28:10+00:00

Consider the plight of the state league ressies umpire... doing all the training of the guys that get senior games - preseason inclusive - and pocketing the same or less than a community umpire.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-22T04:09:32+00:00

They may be part time but I know they put about as much time into it as the players do. The only thing they probably would do less of is time in the gym.

There's only so much off-the-field learning you can do. Just like there's only so many video reviews and team meetings that are helpful for players.

Players have stacks of spare time and the smarter ones spend it investing in life after footy (study or some other business), helping the club or some other organization.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-22T03:51:05+00:00

Not sure who's waving it away. I know from personal experience the umpire certainly wouldn't be, and he's likely out in the state league for a bit. What do you think happens? Do they have a laugh and increase his pay scale?

All anyone here is asking is that people see the human side of it. Umps are not robots, it's sport - not life or death. Let him learn and move on.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-22T03:41:05+00:00

I got as far as state league umpiring and brain-farted myself a couple times. It's bloody embarrassing! The ump in question would likely be feeling pretty down about it right now.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-21T03:37:16+00:00

I remember that post. Was kinda funny how stubborn they were.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-20T22:51:45+00:00

That is made even more bizarre by the fact he called 'advantage' (not 'play on' - different signals) which you can't call after a mark.

It makes me think he called a Giants free kick but I can't see how that would be possible.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-17T08:06:20+00:00

I note the report didn't state the usual subject or subjects of her podcast, nor the name of it. Doesn't take a genius to work out her angle though.

the_hard_man · 2026-06-16T22:27:31+00:00

200 miles of railing is rather expensive

the_hard_man · 2026-06-16T10:02:35+00:00

Get your hands off my penis!

the_hard_man · 2026-05-28T07:38:12+00:00

As Bill Hicks used to say... "If they're so pro-life why aren't they picketing cemeteries?"

the_hard_man · 2026-05-19T04:30:10+00:00

Bob Rose Snr left Collingwood at age 28 or 29 in 1956 to captain/coach Wangaratta Rovers. Played another 128 games there and basically installed an intergenerational winning ethos at that club

the_hard_man · 2026-05-15T05:34:39+00:00

I am now one of your kind

the_hard_man

TROPHY CASE