Our AFL umpires warrant a degree of sympathy on occasions. They have a tough job – much tougher than most of us realise – and they often bear the brunt of supporters’ frustration.
They also cop abuse from fans that can’t be broadcast on any television station.
But, that said, an incident in the clash between Collingwood and Richmond on Saturday afternoon summed up why the standard of umpiring is under the microscope so regularly.
In the second term, Richmond stopper Jake King delivered a blow to the stomach of Pies star Alan Didak.
King was reported and Didak, quite rightly, received a free-kick.
From there, Didak tried to wheel around King, who was standing the mark, and was tackled.
The umpire could have quite easily paid a holding the ball decision in King’s favour, but play continued.
King, eventually, retrieved the ball but was, ultimately, set upon by five Collingwood players, who made their feelings about King’s earlier actions known.
There was no free-kick to King, despite the fact he was elbowed in the face and unfairly treated.
The umpire (his name does not matter, for he is not alone) decided, in his wisdom, to bounce the ball and an all-in brawl ensued. If a correct free-kick was paid to King, chances are the fight would have subsided sooner.
You have to ask, where is the consistency on this occasion?
Yes, King was reported earlier, but there is no rule saying that, if a player has their number taken, they are ineligible for a free-kick for the rest of the match.
The double-standard was there for all to see.
Didak was, initially, given a free-kick, but King deserved one as well. If anything, the treatment he received was more serious than Didak. One-on-one is a fairer contest than five-on-one.
We always hear the AFL spruik about its policy of protecting the player going in for the ball.
Well, where was the protection for King, the smallest man on the field on Saturday?
Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell questioned the tactics of Richmond on Sunday, saying that, in future, their energy may be better directed at the ball rather than the man.
Was it necessary, though, for five Pies players, with arms flying, to pounce on the diminutive King?
It goes both ways.
All we ask is for a level of consistency. Umpiring is a tough gig, but there is no excuse to miss a free kick as obvious as the one King deserved.
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