In 2004 James Hird famously came under fire for comments regarding the umpiring of a game between Essendon and St Kilda, deeming their performance to have been “disgraceful,” singling out Scott McLaren in particular.
The effect of these words, and the subsequent $20,000 fine Hird would later find himself required to pay, has been profound upon the game.
Officials, players and coaches are regularly baited by journalists seeking out their very own Footy Show moment, yet little comes of it. Coaches and players are too savvy and too wary of being punished as Hird once was.
Now whether one agrees with the comments Hird made is not entirely important. But the untouchable nature of a group individuals who truly do have an incredibly influence over the game is. Can we really continue to let things slide?
Much is made of the pressure umpires face in a match situation. Unless they’re officiating games featuring the Giants, crowds of over forty thousand people at a time are yelling for their attention, often making contradictory requests.
One supporter’s high tackle is another’s holding the ball. Cameras focus in, scrutinising every trip, every mispronounced word, every interaction the umpires make in an attempt to find a moment to replay for the rest of the week on subsequent TV shows.
And it’s true. This is a hostile, difficult environment to work within. But people must stop pretending that this is only the case for the men with the whistles.
All of these high pressure factors can also be aimed at players and coaches. Brent Stanton had a time where his own fans would treat him like he was a Collingwood player.
Shaun Hampson receives sarcastic cheers when he completes a mark.
Players are lambasted when they duck their head to protect themselves.
And as for the coaching side of the game, just go ask Mark Neeld how he’s been feeling lately regarding his media treatment. Or better yet, ask his family.
Yet too often the AFL, through its director of umpiring Jeff Gieschen, wraps the performances of umpires in cotton wool and disregards common opinion. It does not help these umpires to tell them their job has been done poorly, just as it doesn’t for players and just as it doesn’t for coaches.
The recent change in interpretation is a good place to start, but more must be done.
The same standards must apply for all.
Many will contend that this will decrease the number of people who wish to umpire. It won’t if we start praising the umpires who do perform to the standard we set and if we allow these same men to do this job on a proper wage, full time.
As they are just as important as anyone else involved in the game.
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Now that was a quick change of mind!
