don't follow either team but I agree, that decision turned the game, up until then it was a great spectacle, then the umpire awarded the game to collingwood before the siren

I'm a Geelong Fan, and technically the 50m penalty was "almost" there. But in the context of the game, I agree, it was a pretty average decision. It wasn't completely wrong, and I don't think that umpire will get banished to bush footy!

But having said that, I have actually umpired the game, and almost always enjoyed the umpiring experience. It's a tough game to umpire... I also enjoyed umpiring games in "The Bush", and I particularly enjoyed 1 full season in the Northern Territory Footy League, from Darwin. My absolute highlight was umpiring games in the Aboriginal Communities in The Bush, and on the Islands in the top end, in The Arafura Sea. I will never ever forget my time flying through Manengrida, and stopping over at Galiwinku, Elcho Island, and a separate trip to South Goulburn Island. The boys and men plying footy were so dark skinned, and at least half were playing in bare feet.

www.google.com.au:443/maps?client=safari&rls=en&q=elcho+island&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=H0q3T5fVGbC4iAeA6a3wCA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=3&ved=0CGMQ_AUoAg

www.google.com.au:443/maps?client=safari&rls=en&q=elcho+island&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=H0q3T5fVGbC4iAeA6a3wCA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=3&ved=0CGMQ_AUoAg

Simondo said...

I'm a Geelong Fan...

...I have actually umpired the game, and almost always enjoyed the umpiring experience.

And I thought you were a good bloke...I was wrong!