The Simple Solution To AFL's Umpiring Problem | THE VOLCANZO

Before Gather Round, the umpires were actually doing alright, but ever since Ollie Dempsey was awarded that mark, it all seems to have gone down hill. If we are serious about solving the AFL's umpiring problems, what can be done? Well, there are a couple really obvious ways to help out the umpires. Firstly, full-time umpires, something that should have been done a long time ago. Secondly, actually put cameras on the outside of the goal posts. That way on score reviews we have a clear view of what happened rather than looking through bodies and posts.

The soultion to the AFL's umpiring problem may lie in the ARC

But neither work around the fundamental problem that the umpires, don't have the best view of what is happening on the field. But quite often, the people at home on the couch does when they view a replay. This makes no sense and is often the problem. A problem that fells easily preventable. So, the simple solution to the predicament that we find yourselves in is easy, it's not that expensive and should fit to all grounds in the AFL. We have the Australian Football League Review Centre (ARC), which is the score review system.

The solution is to let those in the ARC watch the game carefully, instead of twiddling their thumbs for 118 minutes. They can watch the game, looking at TV replays and any additional cameras at their disposal and seeing if there is anything that needs to be corrected. Whenever they fell the need to step in to overrule the on-field umpires for any reason, they can do so. I'm imagining they would be able to press a button which would make some sound effect that would alert the whole ground that they are intervening.

Umpires walk out onto Marvel Stadium

The ARC would have direct contact to the on-field umpires able to tell whoever is the nearest umpire what free kick was missed, where the free kick is and who needs to take it. Furthermore, they can overturn an incorrectly awarded free kick. Though this could be more difficult in some circumstances, where the right decision would have to "play on" leaving the one right move is to call for a ball-up that shouldn't have happened. However this is a fairer outcome than a team being in possession of the football when they should not have. Furthermore, the ARC can contact the timekeepers to re-set the clock if need be.

At this point, I can already hear the objection, that this whole process will take too long. I already have a response to this. When the ARC intervenes, it isn't doing so as a suggestion, not asking to mull it over for 15 minutes. If we ever introduce yellow or red cards, then maybe in that case, but otherwise that is not how it's going to work. When the ARC in my system intervenes it is to award a free kick. Any free kick. The moment you start limiting when and when you can't use the technology, you immediately run into controversies. Open it up!

Matt Stevic (right) tells players to move away as he chats with a field umpire

The umpires have a hard job. To be honest, I am amazed they are as good as the are, given the complexity of the rulebook and the lack of sympathy they get from AFL, media and fans. This isn't a slander of the umpire, it is an attempt to give them the help they deserve.

'The Volcanzo' is a regular segment from the podcast arm of Extra Time, where Lorenzo Di-Mauro Hayes goes on a weekly sporting rant. This is the written version of The Volcanzo from Episode 11 of Footy Chat. Make sure to check out all our podcasts at the Extra Time YouTube channel.