OVER the course of the next week or so an independent panel appointed by the Sunraysia Football Netball League (SFNL) will sit down and adjudicate on the findings of an investigation into the under-16 grand final between Robinvale Euston and Irymple.
What they come back with will be interesting to see and could have long-term ramifications for the game and the umpires.
The investigation is centred around an umpiring decision which resulted in a point being awarded to Irymple after the siren which drew the game.
In extra-time, Irymple went on to kick three goals to win by 18 points.
Robinvale Euston are upset with the decision and have asked the league to investigate, which is their right.
But is it the right thing for the game?
Umpires are there to make decisions – sometimes they get it right and sometimes they don’t.
Even if they did get this one wrong, I still think it has to be “umpire’s call”.
We need to stick with the umpire’s decision and move on as much as it might hurt.
Like everyone else, umpires are human and prone to making mistakes – we all do.
I’m not sure what investigating an umpiring decision is going to achieve other than pointing out a mistake.
I pity the people sitting on that panel and the league who ultimately will have to deliver the findings.
There is going to be no winner in this one.
If the investigation finds the umpires made a mistake and the error resulted in Robinvale Euston losing the grand final, then that’s an unfortunate part of the game.
Overturning the result and awarding the match to Robinvale Euston achieves nothing.
Part of winning a flag is the raw emotion you feel when the final siren sounds.
I think everyone just needs to take a deep breath and realise it’s still only a game.
I sympathise with Robinvale Euston if one decision robbed them of a grand final victory.
But they aren’t the first club this has happened to and they won’t be the last.
Sometimes you just need to suck things up and move on – as much you might not agree with it.
