OPINION
It is galling to umpires that this issue has largely remained unaddressed by administrators at community and AFL level for not just a few years but perhaps decades.
Abuse from players is the primary reason why umpires prematurely retire from the game.
Umpires in every corner of the country and at every level of competition know this.
It’s a reality that AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and his cluster of senior executives sitting at the top of the food chain on generous salaries have, until now, ignored.
“What we are outlawing and it’s unacceptable is gestating from 40 metres away and abuse. Abuse is out, relationships, talking, feedback and interaction is still there.” McLachlan said announcing the crackdown last week ahead of the season.
“We are 6000 umpires short nationally and umpire abuse and disrespect is a problem and we’re calling it out and we’re unapologetic.
“Frankly, I take responsibility for the fact that I think it has got away from us.
“And I think the rules are clear: we are not going to tolerate the abuse of umpires.”
Why the sudden change of heart?
It’s likely that the Toby Greene confrontation with umpire Matt Stevic last year was a catalyst.
The Giants’ star was suspended for a total of six matches – three on appeal – for making intentional contact with an umpire.
But perhaps more pertinent to the AFL’s announcement is the very real shortage of umpires across all community football leagues.
Inaction by the AFL to date has contributed to this problem.
Watch almost any AFL game and you will inevitably see demonstrative actions and verbal abuse from players directed at umpires – figure pointing, arm waving and unacceptable language, are standard.
These antics, usually witnessed in prime TV viewing time, send a powerful message to all players, in particular juniors: if these guys at the top level can engage in such behaviour and often without consequences, so can we.
The AFL could, but probably won’t, at least not in the foreseeable future, make a big difference to poor player behaviour at the top level, and by consequence in community football, if they adopted the order-off rule.
But they’re unlikely do so because pressure from coaches in particular who think that it would soften the physical aspects of the game, and increase the likelihood of having their stars, who are often the biggest abusers, compulsory sit some of the game out on the bench.
Even soccer, essentially a non-contact sport, has a yellow and red card rule, which appreciably reduces instances of poor on field player behaviour.Bernie Kelly is from Ouyen and Central Rivers umpire
