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It was announced overnight that Channel Ten would be introducing video replays of umpiring decisions on the goal line during their coverage of Saturday’s AFL clash at the MCG and during three of the finals matches in Melbourne. Though the technology will not be utilised by match officials on the day, there is the prospect of its implementation in the future. But is this really necessary in Aussie Rules?
The two small cameras will be mounted at different heights on the main goalposts. The one at 40cm will presumably review decisions closer to the ground, with the other one being three metres high.
Unfortunately, the video cameras are not actually built-in to the goal post. Instead these little black cameras protrude from the white post, which in a practical sense will almost certainly lead to an expensive investment in the devices, which will be frequently destroyed, especially the one just 40cm from the white line.
Though Channel Ten is already basking in the glory of this ‘innovation’, is there really a need for goal line video reviews in AFL?
Presumably goal line video replays would allow contentious goals to be reviewed and possibly overturned. But in reality, in AFL, how many contentious goals occur on the goal line? How many times has the goal umpire missed the ball shaving the goal post, or a hand touching the ball before it sails through? It rarely happens.
For the many incorrect decisions made in sports, the goal umpires in AFL do a remarkable job.
In fact, most decisions which might require a second opinion do not come due to the fault of the goal umpire, but instead, they come from dubious penalties made by the on-field umpire and the growing trend of over-umpiring during a game.
Some may argue that a goal line camera could potentially review a questionable goal that in a tight game may ultimately lead to the ‘wrong team’ winning, if only by a few points. But that’s AFL – you play it till the final siren and it’s your team’s duty to prevent the opposition from getting in a scoring position.
It’s easily one of the most exciting sports precisely because of its fast paced, unpredictable and fluid nature. That’s how AFL has been played for a hundred years.
Furthermore, unlike the more structured sports of rugby league, rugby union, tennis, and cricket – all of which have rightly adopted video technology in assisting referee/umpire decisions – AFL gives ample opportunity for either team to carry the ball from the centre square and score within a matter of seconds.
One minute a team can lead by 2 goals, and the next minute they could be down by just as much. In AFL there is a greater opportunity to reclaim the lead if indeed an incorrect goal decision has gone against your team. But this undoubtedly still happens even with video reviews. So what’s the point of goal line video reviews? I see no point.
Depending on how the technology works during the Collingwood vs Hawthorn game this Saturday, Channel Ten may install more cameras on the other posts too. The success of the goal line video replays will determine whether or not the AFL implement this technology in next year’s NAB Cup.
I have no objection to getting the right decision in a match, but when it comes to goal line video reviews in AFL, surely this is not an issue which requires such attention.
It will waste time and only slow down a game which is renowned for its frantic pace. This technology would certainly be welcomed in football, England would attest to that, but in Aussie Rules?
I don’t think so.
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