It’s hard to believe, but finally common sense has prevailed. An umpire reversed the decision of a goal umpire after watching the replay on the big screen. The move has now inadvertently highlighted the benefits of a video review system in one of the greatest pieces of umpiring I’ve ever seen.
Leaving no doubt in my mind the time has come for the AFL to introduce video technology in goal umpiring decisions.
The pre-season competition has always been a traditional breeding ground for experimenting with new rules, in fact the AFL is currently testing the waters on four different changes in the NAB Cup.
All have gone virtually unnoticed or at least without incident. However the reverse decision in the West Coast versus Essendon game has made a massive splash and it wasn’t even on the AFL’s agenda.
For those who missed the match, let me bring you up to speed on exactly what happened.
The ball was kicked long into West Coast’s forward line, bounced in the square, rolled through the legs of the goal umpire into the post. The ball then bounced back into play allowing Eagle Andrew Embley to swoop and kick a goal.
Now, the goal umpire awarded the six points because he thought the ball bounced on the goal line and then back into play, if this was the case it would have been the right decision.
However, the goal umpire clearly made a mistake and the ball clearly hit the post. The telecast used multiple camera angles to confirm the error had been made. Then in an amazing football first, the field umpire reversed the decision after he had watched the replay on the big screen.
How much more proof does the AFL need to at least trial the technology?
In fairness to the league, they have been considering the idea, but a major factor in retaining the current system was that only three confirmed goal umpiring errors were recorded last year.
The third mistake was the most highlighted as it was in the grand final when Geelong’s Tom Hawkins was awarded a goal when his kick shaved the goalpost. Luckily for the AFL, they were spared any controversy with the Cats winning by 12 points.
We know mistakes will occasionally happen through human error, but it’s only a matter of time until an incorrect decision directly influences the result in a final or a grand final.
The AFL has trialled four goal umpires with two at either end in the pre-season but that didn’t work, while the introduction of four boundary umpires and increased consultation between the field, boundary and goal adjudicators has helped.
But this incident in the opening pre-season game of 2010 suggests the time has come for another set of eyes.
Hardly revolutionary I know, but the technology will enhance the game similar to cricket’s third umpire, hawk eye in tennis and the video referee in rugby league.
With so few line-ball decisions around the goal posts, why not use the technology available to make sure we get it right?
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