The treatment of the Swans by the AFL umpires indicates that, although AFL’s presence is Australia-wide, AFL is still very much a Victoria-centric game.
Against St Kilda on Saturday, the Swans were on fire with a 27 point lead, playing great footy through the middle.
Then, suddenly, with several minutes to go to quarter time, the free kick tidal wave began. Free kick in front for Saints’ first goal.
This went on for the next hour until the customary ‘even-up’ towards the end so it doesn’t look too good. Fact is, St Kilda, with the glut of ball handed to them, should have won by 100 points.
This game is all about momentum.
The Swans were steaming ahead with 100 percent momentum, and Saints had no answer.
Barry Hall is constantly held by two players and the umpires ignore this.
I’m surprised he hasn’t belted more people by now.
Poor Ryhce Shaw learned quickly how Sydney get mauled by the umpires, and he was astounded by so many shocking decisions.
Sydney is about to enter its seventh year as the most penalised team in the competition. In 2005 and 2006, the Swans were good enough to overcome this disadvantage in momentum and possession and still win.
But the team may not be good enough now to make up this leeway.
Until this is addressed, the AFL will be regarded as a Vic-centric game wih some token outsiders involved.
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April 1st 2009 @ 7:35am
Redb said | April 1st 2009 @ 7:35am | Report comment
Gruffalo,
Gee I didn’t know Collingwood come from Sydney as well, they’ve been whinging for the past week.
Redb
April 1st 2009 @ 7:59am
Michael C said | April 1st 2009 @ 7:59am | Report comment
I must admit, watching the game, suddenly StKilda were getting all these very soft ‘holding’ frees from around the stoppages.
The Swans perhaps were too slow in avoiding giving the umpires excuse enough to pay them.
But, again, it illustrates this continuing war on stoppages which I’m not too fussed about. Swans though, again, their worst enemy – started on fire, faded badly and then launched a do or die comeback with perhaps not enough time left on the clock.
April 1st 2009 @ 8:23am
Gruffalo said | April 1st 2009 @ 8:23am | Report comment
2nd quarter – long bomb from Saints and Saints defender pushes 2 defenders in the back and ball drops to Milne infront. Magically missed by everyone! Then, Jude Bolton goes hard and low for the ball and a Saint flops on him from above a la Hulk Hogan – whistle goes – Bolton penalised for holdng the ball.
meanwhile, umps pick up every incidental touch by the Swans and hammer them.
Roos does not coach the Swans to be dirty – but they are penalised as if this was the case.
Barry Hall is one of the few remaining focal forward line stars left in the game – double-teamed evey week – averages 2 free kicks a year.
It’s so obvious now, it’s a joke.
April 1st 2009 @ 9:04am
Douggie said | April 1st 2009 @ 9:04am | Report comment
You blokes are kidding. The Swans have been scragging everyone for years to make up for their lack of pace and skill. Swannie supporters need to wake up and face the fact – you’re not very good. Bringing back the likes of Crouch and co is a backward step and the only way forward for this club is to start playing some kids.
April 1st 2009 @ 10:34am
Redb said | April 1st 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Gruff,
The umps get it wrong all the time with holding the ball – it’s why the crowd screams Balll! in the hope the Ump has got the right specs on match day.
The Swans can play a scragging gang tackle type of game which leaves them open at times to giving away free kicks, particularly Keiran Jack tackles with his RL background he does it from memory but tackle rules are different in AFL.
When the momentum swings in a game it seems as if every decision goes against your team, the Swans lost becuase the Saints tightened up after getting belted in the first qtr.
Redb
April 1st 2009 @ 3:10pm
Gruffalo said | April 1st 2009 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Douggie and redb,
With respect, that’s Vic media rubbish.
“Scragging”? The Swans have copped this tag for many many years. It’s pretty offensive.
Fact is – it’s crap. Scragging teams with nothing else don’t win flags. swans in full flow are a tremendous attacking team. Goodes didn’t win Brownlows fro being teh permier scragger.
If Sydney did nothing all game on Sat, I’d agree with you. But, 1st and last quarters, they played some fantastic attacking footy. Why? Becase they weren’t subjected to 10 free in a row against them – and had a relatively fair share of the footy.
the Saints didn’t tighten up. they were shot birds – then were handed 80% of possession for 30 minutes which gave them the game.
the Swans got back to 15 points behind with a few minutes to play then teh unps stepped in with 3 uqestionable frees and killed them off.
the worst rort i have seen in years – and there’s many to compare with.
April 1st 2009 @ 3:54pm
ren said | April 1st 2009 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
gruffalo- i have a long held suspicion that the umpires have always favoured the vics
April 2nd 2009 @ 6:57am
Redb said | April 2nd 2009 @ 6:57am | Report comment
Gruff,ren,
Then why are Collingwood whinging like stuck pigs about their umpiring treatment in the NAB Cup and the Adelaide game?
The fact is when momentum turns and a team becomes the chaser they tend to give away more free kicks in desperation to get back into the contest. If a team has clean possession avoiding opposition traffic, there is far less chance of giving away a free kick, but a much higher chance of receiving one as the opposition attempts to get the ball.
That said thhe are still some glaring mistakes made by umpires but that is part of the game – the funniest comments at the footy are usaullyl directed at the Umps – who woud want that to be any different.
Redb
April 2nd 2009 @ 9:32am
Douggie said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:32am | Report comment
gruff
Fact is the Saints were first to and harder at the ball after the first quarter. All very well living in the past but mate the only thing the Swans are in contention for this year is the Wooden Spoon. You don’t win too many games with an 18 man vackline and the good teams have worked out ways to beat the flood.
Tremendous attacking team pfffffffffft. The have two forwards Hall and O’Keefe with Mickey able to make the occasional cameo. Their small forwards are no good and they desperately need to inject some youth, pace and enthusiasm into the side.
April 2nd 2009 @ 1:17pm
Gruffalo said | April 2nd 2009 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
Douggie
You simply prove your ignorance.
Instead of reading the Herald Sun on Monday, you should watch some games.
With even share of ball, the Swans are a potent and attractive attacking outfit. They are not scraggers, they are an “in your face” trying to win possession.
How many other teams have had the head of the AFL coming out and saying they were ugly?