Mick Jeffrey finds the combination of playing, umpiring, running marathons, nursing injuries and entering a fifth decade a bit of a challenge. But what will he do about it in 2024?
Almanac Footy (Umpiring): Unexpected debut….Why did I agree to this again?
December 3, 2023 by 1 Comment
Round 6 – GWS v St Kilda: Good luck with the policing of body language
April 23, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Old Dog is an admirer of umpires, but not of the AFL for expecting their umps to be mind-readers.
Almanac Footy: The Muse is musing on respect for umpires
April 21, 2022 by 5 Comments
The Muse has been around the traps over the years and has seen it and heard it all which puts him in a perfect position to be musing on respect for umpires.
KG Cunningham: South Australian Sporting Legend
February 18, 2022 by 48 Comments
Rulebook returns with a profile of South Australian legend KG Cunningham, cricketer, footy umpire and broadcaster extraordinaire.
Almanac Footy Writing: Continuing the umpiring debate…
June 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Nothing in the AFL is as contentious as the decisions made by the men in green. Stainless jumps into the umpiring debate.
Don’t Quit the Under 16s: An open letter to Webby
March 4, 2021 by 2 Comments
Michael Nichols makes an impassioned plea to a talented youngster to keep playing the game. There’s too much at stake to walk away early.
Why Spectators Should Suck it Up, and Move On
October 11, 2019 by 13 Comments
Sarah Black has some advice for ‘fans’ and players who believe it’s appropriate to offer 15 year-old umpires a pair of glasses while they’re trying to adjudicate a netball game. [And the stats may just make your head spin. – Ed]
Preseason musings in the Merks
October 7, 2019 by Leave a Comment
It briefly enters the public consciousness after an incident of great notice, but Phil Hill has been mulling over general rule changes in sports, with a few examples. [Could throw rugby league into the mix after recent events – Ed.]
Round 2 – Hits and Misses
April 5, 2017 by Leave a Comment
After a big weekend of footy, Tom Riordan reviews Round 2 and what the results mean for the teams.
Home bias in AFL umpiring: the 10 year tables
November 29, 2016 by 5 Comments
Dave Warner of the suburbs has completed his opus: the last 10 years of AFL free kick counts examined and analysed. Do umpires always favour the home team? How do Victorian teams fare when playing at home against non-Victorian teams? Trends, biases… all is revealed.
Almanac Laws of the Game: the best rule in the book
September 23, 2016 by 19 Comments
What’s the most obscure rule you’ve seen an umpire use? The weirdest thing on a footy field? Dave Brown has a couple of favourites
Confessions of a Maggot (Part 3)
August 9, 2016 by 61 Comments
Rulebook addresses the challenge of Tom Martin, with this podium-finishing piece of name-dropping excellence. From a life of umpiring footy.
Almanac Lunch – Friday 29 July with Bill Deller and Murray Bird
July 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Join Percy and the Almanackers for lunch with umpires Bill Deller and Murray Bird this Friday. Read on for full details.
Almanac Umpiring: A Tough Gig
June 9, 2016 by 4 Comments
Matt Zurbo loves it when umpires come across as real and genuine. [And he’s inviting them to pop in for a beer – Ed]
Get Out of the Umpire’s Way
August 25, 2015 by 2 Comments
Phil Hill, cricket umpire, has an idea to improve footy umpiring.
Round 18 – Hawthorn v Richmond: Three out of four ain’t bad
August 5, 2015 by 3 Comments
Tigers supporter Sarah Black watched her Tigers have a great win and four quarter performance against the Hawks on Friday night and when umpiring Netball on Saturday resolved to be like Bachar Houli.
The Precarious State of our Nation’s Great Game
September 24, 2014 by 10 Comments
Siobhan Calafiore provides her perspective on where the game is at and why.
Being Ruled By The Rules
September 17, 2014 by 13 Comments
Liam Quin offers more common sense about AFL umpiring and rules adjudication, than will be heard in a year of Rules Committee deliberations or a month of talkback radio.
Bounce of the ball. Straight up as a die. It’s a skill under-appreciated. It’s a wonder we don’t sigh
August 12, 2014 by 1 Comment
‘Mongrel dog from the bush’ shares some insights into what goes through an umpire’s mind.
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