AFL Round 5: It’s a fine line between pleasure and pain

As the late great Chrissie Amphlett once sang: it’s a fine line between pleasure and pain – witness injuries to Priddis, Bradley, Rioli, Taylor Walker footy can be cruel at times.

To the ostriches running the AFL, so called for their ability to stick their head in the sand, 2 games were decided in less than desirable circumstances and more importantly with the much-trumpeted video review system in place. Whilst I endeavour to teach my two boys that the umpire is always right and that you shouldn’t argue, I cannot believe that Richmond gets stooged by a goal umpire whose positioning, whilst technically correct was foolish enough to be hit by the ball…get out of the way man! Your rigid positioning has possibly cost the Tigers a win. There was no video review! Why – over to the ostriches…
#2 North watched Jarrod Roughead kick a goal that clearly deviated off the goal post, having hit the goal post according to the commentators on fox footy and SEN. The goal umpire was against the other goal post, the field umpire didn’t see it and guess what…Again, no video review…why – over to the ostriches…
There has to be a video review system that works as the stakes are too high these days. Games being lost, people losing their careers or jobs – what does it take to get the ostriches to listen? The technology is there, microchipping the ball aint that necessary as suggested by newly-minted AFL Ops Chief Mark Evans… the simple format of tv cameras…how can this possibly be left to such randomness?

What price commonsense in this regard? The solution is simple – cover all angles and give the power to the video ref if the need arises to refer matters back to the field umpires – fix it for the good of the game…at the moment it’s a joke that ain’t funny.

As expected, Essendon and Collingwood kicked off Anzac Day to the roar of 90000+. Zaka took his interpretation of the Anzac legacy to new heights inspiring the Bombers to blast the Pies from the sky. Once the second half began, the Bomber blitz began, doubling their ½ time score in the 3rd qtr and repeating it in the last to win by 46pts

 

In order to spread the Anzac festivities across the Tasman, the Saints took on the Swans at the CakeTin in Wundy Wullington. Except that over there it’s referred to as the Cake Tin Bro. The reconstruct of the Saints continues, although St.Nick leads from the front (27 stats). Sydney did enough to grab the kiwifruit & feijoa cookies.

 

The Tigers grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory in the west as Freo got some unlikely assistance from a goal umpire who didn’t move when the ball was coming at him. Is there a reason why the video review system wasn’t implemented? The Tigers’ inability to fill space in the Freo forward line in the last minute was also of concern.

 

Star Track Oval (aka sunny Manuka) hosted the battle of the AFL L-platers between the Suns and the Giants. @6000 came without a trace of Spock, Scotty or JT Kirk, despite Sheeds’ best imitations to the contrary. The Suns showed they are more advanced than the Giants, but that’s not saying much. Big Sun Charlie Dixon got 6.

 

A collective WTF was heard over the SA border when Adelaide’s favourite mullet, Tex Walker, did his ACL at the MCG on Saturday. The Crows forward line fell into a screaming heap against Carlton and yet somehow managed to stage a comeback into the last qtr. A 32pt win good for Carlton, despite the scare. Garlett got 4, McLean (29)

 

Geelong got a better run for their money than expected against the developing Bulldogs on Saturday night at Etihad. What looked like a big Cat win, belied the effort and intensity that the Bulldogs brought in the second half. Coupled with Geelong’s inaccuracy in the last qtr, the Cats held on by 21. Jones 4, Harry Taylor 5.

 

Port trailing by 41pts 19 minutes into the third qtr…over the years 2008 – 2012…it would have led to a blowout against the Eagles at AAMI. Even with gun onballer Priddis stretchered in the first qtr, the Eagles looked like they had touch again in 2013. Port has too. A 5pt win says as much for the new Port attitude as anything.

 

New Lion Brent Moloney gave the Demons a lesson in free agency on Sunday afternoon at the Gabba with 36 touches. Assisted by the mask of Zorko with 3.4 and 29 touches, the Lions powered away from a spirited Melbourne to win by 28pts, after an even first half. Demon coach Neeld happy-ish with the effort, Voss happier to win.

 

North nearly beat Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday twilight, a quantum leap over the corresponding game last year where Buddy kicked 13 in Tassie. Scott Thompson channelled Dench and Martyn to hold Buddy to 0.5 and repel attacks but North is still missing something. Experience counts, Cyril Rioli did too. Hawks home just by 3pts.

Leave a Comment

*