Umpiring Standards in the SFL

[goswannie14]

the problem with sfl umpires is that they try to get noticed, they are acting like a 3rd team out there.
the best umpires are the ones that you don't notice during the game
when they decide to put the whistle away they will get better

They have learned that from the AFL umpires. You are right in that they should be seen and not heard during a game.

[#31]

the problem with sfl umpires is that they try to get noticed, they are acting like a 3rd team out there.
the best umpires are the ones that you don't notice during the game
when they decide to put the whistle away they will get better

[unconfuseme]

Umpiring's a tough job; and unfortunately one tends to notice the bad decisions while the good ones fly under the radar. I've seen some absolutely shocking calls this season that make me shake my head in disbelief.
Umpires have to run just as far, possibly further, than any player during the course of a game; and our game is unique in that the umpire has to perform an act of skill with the ball. All this while copping abuse for their decisions. And unfortunately it's a bugger trying to get umpires - there are far more people willing to criticise the umpires than there are people willing to have a go and try to do better.

exactly!

... and the reality is that in AFL, unlike the other codes, the umpires rarely make a decision that influences the outcome of a game ... yet they get bagged relentlessly.

[Norris Lurker]

Umpiring's a tough job; and unfortunately one tends to notice the bad decisions while the good ones fly under the radar. I've seen some absolutely shocking calls this season that make me shake my head in disbelief.
Umpires have to run just as far, possibly further, than any player during the course of a game; and our game is unique in that the umpire has to perform an act of skill with the ball. All this while copping abuse for their decisions. And unfortunately it's a bugger trying to get umpires - there are far more people willing to criticise the umpires than there are people willing to have a go and try to do better.

[Coastal Boy]

In the interest of constructive criticism or no comment at all, IMO many of the mistakes that umpires make stem back to the fact they are often too far away from the play and do not have a clear sight of the players at the ball as a result.

I spoke to an umpire after a game who mentioned that the umpire's coach(or whatever you call them) praised his efforts. This was in contrast to players from both teams - the winning and losing. Makes me wonder whether we need better umpire coaches before we can hope for improvements on the field.

Incidently, I would speculate the standard of the teams in Premier division is on the slippery slide more than the umpiring. Without taking anything away from ECE or WS, I am surprised both teams have dominated as much with their lists.

[Cheese Cake 69]

Is it just me or has the standard considerably dropped in the SFL?

Now I'm not the first one to bag the whistle blowers but in yesterdays Dockers - Bombers game I feel they had too much of an influence and made (and missed) some costly decisions in the final term