While it's not the reason we lost, it clear 3 days of Clarkson bemoaning umpires has an effect, there were clear differences in how the rules were implemented last night to previous rounds. Whether you think that is good or bad is irrelevant, it's the inconsistency in the way the rules are implemented by umpires on the night that plagues the support.
Years ago I would leave a lot of games and think that was a great game, win or lose, you felt it was a fair contest and if you didn't win they were just better, harder, faster on the day. Very few games would I leave and think we were jibbed, now under the modern three umpiring regime most losses you feel jibbed, and you could sense the change in last nights game after 1/2-time. Then at the end the soft irrelevant free kicks on the wing evening up the count.
Something is very very wrong with the sport, when complaining coaches are rewarded for umpire criticism. It's not good enough from the Big House, they need to start handing out 6 figure fines to coaches and clubs for bringing the game into disrepute. Clarkson, Dimma and Scott in particular are professionals at it, they do it because they know it works, they aren't just bitching. No wonder opposition hang their heads, they must feel powerless like victims! There is a reason Clarkson looked like he'd crap the bed in the coaches box, despite his team cruising to victory!
Years ago I would leave a lot of games and think that was a great game, win or lose, you felt it was a fair contest and if you didn't win they were just better, harder, faster on the day. Very few games would I leave and think we were jibbed, now under the modern three umpiring regime most losses you feel jibbed, and you could sense the change in last nights game after 1/2-time. Then at the end the soft irrelevant free kicks on the wing evening up the count.
Something is very very wrong with the sport, when complaining coaches are rewarded for umpire criticism. It's not good enough from the Big House, they need to start handing out 6 figure fines to coaches and clubs for bringing the game into disrepute. Clarkson, Dimma and Scott in particular are professionals at it, they do it because they know it works, they aren't just bitching. No wonder opposition hang their heads, they must feel powerless like victims! There is a reason Clarkson looked like he'd crap the bed in the coaches box, despite his team cruising to victory!
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"