AS IT HAPPENED: Bulls down 10-man Sydney to go top

1. A video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official, with independent access to match footage, who may assist the referee only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to:"

Waz you are mainly wrong re the use of VAR “Principles The use of VARs in football matches is based on a number of principles, all of which must apply in every match using VARs. 1. A video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official, with independent access to match footage, who may assist the referee only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to:” Thats was not a ‘serious missed incident’ ..the ref saw it and made a decision on it.

'Clear and obvious error' is foundational to the use of VAR - it's the most prominent part of the wording of the law. If it's a just a sop the law should be reworded.

Real-time AI officiating would be fine by me.

Not a fan of VAR so would have no problem with your stance - with no VAR we could all argue this morning whether Redmayne should have been sent off but wasn’t, but clearly - in real time and with the AR on the far side - that wasn’t an obvious error. However, this belief that it’s there for “clear and obvious errors” is not true. It was spin to make the concept more palatable for fans and used to lure us in to accepting the inevitable .. VAR is there to improve accuracy of officiating and it will continue to be invasive and they will be automating it. There’s a point in the future where only ChatGBT will enjoy football because you and I will be seeing a different game to the machines

It's all down to the ref's mental toughness once VAR intervenes and question's the initial decision. Unless it's a clear and obvious error the VAR shouldn't involve themselves - just wave it on. I'd say the same for every goal scored - the protracted delay with both teams chilling out waiting to kick off is crazy. The VAR searching for any scrap of controversy is not what the VAR was intended to do.

The VAR didn’t make the decision, the referee did. He went over to the monitor and watched it again for himself. Not a huge fan of VAR but the refereee rewatching what he think he saw again is not a bad use.

I thought he was going to be something special after the Australia Cup final. I know he scored tap ins, but he seemed to have something special and then… Rodwell is the other issue. He is outstanding when he plays, but he is rarely available and he would be on a big salary. We need a new Ninkovic!

You're deceived by the angle. From behind Redmayne is clearly turning side on and pulling his arm behind him and away from the ball. The angle from halfway makes Redmayne look open, which he would be if the the ball had been kicked sideline to sideline, but it wasn't. The ref could actually see where Redmayne's arm was relative to the trajectory of the ball. The VAR was wrong.

I don't have a player rating system - I just watch the games. It strikes me that Macarthur are effective team, and Aspro plays his part, cleaning up second balls in particular, with the others buzzing around him and getting them out of trouble and/or back into position and/or off on the break. He's a bit like Wilko used to be in his later years, just a lot better.

Sorry but it was a clear DOGSO. The vision and still images show Redmayne’s arm away from his body, the contact is clear, and the ball is a shot at an open goal (not sure it would have gone in, but it’s the denial of an opportunity that is the offence). Without VAR it’s unlikely to be given - it wasn’t clear in real time The real question should be - what was Redmayne doing?

Yes - he did have a go at least.

Waz - you say a lot of sensible things but on this you are so wrong it's laughable. Redmayne pulled his arm in, it was down and beside his body, and he was turning that side of his body away from the ball. There was clearly no intent and the ref decided no handball. Definitely not a clear and obvious error so VAR was wrong and the ref should have told whoever it was to get back in their box.

Who makes big mistakes and is often out of position Ps user player rating of 3 out of 5 and below most if not all Sydney players

I was mostly referring to him making an effort after the red. The rest I tend to agree with.

That's a peculiar take - defender good at core aspect of his job, ergo 'big weakness'. Righto.

Nah...Fabio is a waste of space. He has no idea how to use his body or his head, he rarely wins a tackle, he's hesitant on the ball, his touch is dodgy, and he needs an eternity to set himself for a shot. Glasson looked a step up when he came on. I wonder if we can loan Gomes back wherever he came from? Talay's body language says it all every time Gomes doesn't quite measure up. Lacerda on the other hand looks like a reasonable acquisition.

Not on twitter and there's photos that show Elvis is alive :happy:

Agree..var called the red

That's what gets me..I don't mind being outplayed but Sydney better.. bulls wasted at least three breakaways