AFL Umpiring Directives Ruining Our Game

Watching the Friday night game between Carlton and the Swans it was hard not to think that AFL umpiring directives are ruining our game. The protect the head mantra has gone way overboard in this lifelong fan’s opinion. The games have 3 field umpires policing play and the number of tiggy touchwood decisions are numerous and overly influential. The inconsistencies are legion in most matches I observe. AFL is a physically challenging game and one I played myself as a junior. This aspect of the game is one of its most endearing features. The holding the ball rule is a travesty, with each umpire interpreting it differently in a single match.