The Semi-Final between the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane was one of the best finals we’ve seen in recent times.
As good as it was, one thing would’ve made it better.
Less free kicks.
There were 47 paid in total. After the whistle blew for some of those 47, players from both teams looked at the umpires having no idea who had been rewarded the free.
That’s never a good sign.
I launched a 'Volcano' about the over-umpiring and high number of free kicks on the Sunday Footy Show. My sentiments are this. If it is a borderline decision and it is not an obvious infringement, the game would be better if the umpire would err on the side of caution and let the players play on.
I’m not talking about the obvious ones, I’m talking about the 'ticky touchwood' ones where not one supporter or player would complain about it if there was no decision made.
Leigh Matthews must have heard these comments because he didn’t hold back with his disgust on Sportsday on Tuesday night.
“Total lunacy:” Matthews insists ‘let it go’ umpiring philosophy is wrong
Matthews has gone back 32 years to find a Grand Final with a high free kick count.
I wonder if the high count in '89 was due to it being one of the biggest blood baths in Grand Final history and the only option the umpire had to regain control was their whistle?
I’ve also done some more modern research on free kicks in Grand Finals.
2020 – 27
2019 – 33
2018 – 30 (Epic Collingwood v West Coast)
2017 – 43
2016 – 28 (One of the great Grand Finals)
2015 – 27
2014 – 36
2013 – 29
2012 – 31
2011 – 39
2010 – 29 (Drawn Grand Final) and 31 (Replay)
In the last 12 AFL grand finals, the average free kick count is 29.
Irrefutably, the umpires pay less free kicks in Grand Finals and to use the old saying, put the whistles away.
I’ve enjoyed Ray Chamberlain’s contribution to SEN’s Whateley program in recent years and I’m more informed having listened to his insights.
One of the questionable 47 free kicks paid last Saturday was against Caleb Daniel for insufficient intent in the last quarter. It was a howler.
Razor didn’t see it that way.
This is the problem with the adjudication of our rules.
Had that free kick against Daniel not being paid, firstly, no one would’ve even asked Ray why it wasn’t paid, and secondly, if he was asked he could have easily defended the non-decision, the AFL would’ve ticked it off and we move on. The umpires can’t lose.
Leigh Matthews is clearly happy for decisions like that against Daniel to be paid, he wants them all paid.
I don’t.
Like we’ve seen in the last 12 Grand Finals, the game is better when the players are allowed to play.
No one complains about the 50-50 decisions that aren’t paid.
I just hope the Preliminary Final results aren’t decided by the umpires.
Let’s settle this - Is the game better when there are less free kicks paid?
Time for a @SENCaptainsRun run poll. Is the game better when…
— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) September 10, 2021