Pretty ugly game at times, but as the saying goes, win is a win. Willie, Willie, haven’t you learned? YOU CAN NOT TOUCH AN UMP. Despite Simmo’s take on it, he has to go for this. The rule is there for a reason, even if the mrp can’t get it right all the time. Big Jack had a quiet day, let’s see how he regroups. Masten must be in the lead for GOTY as of today and Willie MOTY. Thought the umpiring wasn’t the best because they missed some absolute boners. Still, maybe they tried to keep the game moving. The big surprise was fat eddie’s call. I reckon somebody up the line gave him a good barking after his ridiculous, biased call on the Eagles v Blues game earlier. He was actually unbiased to both sides. Or maybe he hates both sides equally.
While Darling was quieter than he has been he still competed and did a couple of good things like gift JK his first goal I reckon also delivery coming in wasn’t great.
The plus side we don’t have to rely on him to win.
How goods Gaff?
Runs all day knows where to go and rarely butches a ball.
Don’t underestimate that win I reckon there would have been a few out there still expecting them to fall over,that’s now 3 in Melbourne and one in Sydney,a perfect away record so far.
All in all a great effort today and another win without our best mid Shuey.
My take on Rioli and Razor Ray,common sense has to prevail yep if it’s done in anger or a push/shove you must go but as Simpson said there’s got to be that human element that’s there,fine at most
Fair post 30yr and agree. However, the AFL have set the bench mark on touching an ump, so if they are serious, unfortunately Willie has to go.
Surely Rioli can’t get a week for that.
How good is he? More polish than Mr Sheen. His ten touches are worth thirty.
Another good win on the road by the Toasters.I tipped them but thought it would be tough for them.
If the panel, what ever they call themselves now days, have any common sense, they will give Willie a reprimand or a fine.I know he shouldn’t touch the umpire, but it was a gesture to say he knew he did wrong/I would be more concerned about dropping the knee into the player on the ground.
I thought it was a fair penalty, but your’re right about the knee, he was a tad lucky there. Also thought the Hawks player that punched Darling in the back at the start of the game was lucky too.
Our umpires are a precious lot in our game, even in soccer where the referees can send players off players often engage (touch) them to try to demonstrate their case case or just a bit of good natured banter and I don’t see referees taking it personally. They just blow their whistle and point them away if they think the player is getting carried away and show them a card if they deem necessary.
Most of our umps are probably lawyers, accountants or physios or studying to be and are just a bit too precious in my opinion. Rioli’s little tap was in good nature and nothing more than that. The opposite of his reaction is a player that remonstrates with the umpire and gives him a mouthful and all he cops is a 50m penalty.
DD, Totally agree with your last sentence.
I think if Razor was upset , he would have given another 50.