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'It's bloody tough': AFL boss slams criticism of umpires

AFL umpires boss Steve Hocking says finding new umpires is becoming increasingly difficult as the game’s officials are subjected to whopping scrutiny online.

The league is set to turn to the AFL Coaches Association in a bid to change public perception of umpires for the better, as Hocking said the treatment of whistleblowers was something he was concerned about.

“We have some genuine work to do in that space and it’s not within the nine games on the weekend,” Hocking said.

“It’s how umpires are being talked about, reviewed constantly within games – critically.

“It’s an industry thing.”

A Magpies fan abuses the umpires at half time during the round three match between Collingwood and the West Coast Eagles. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
A Magpies fan abuses the umpires at half time during the round three match between Collingwood and the West Coast Eagles. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Umpires have come under heavy criticism early this season from some of the games biggest stars, notably Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield.

The former Brownlow Medallist was scathing in his social media criticism of the interpretation of the sliding below the knees rule.

Hocking said players have become increasingly adept at pushing the rules to their limits to win free kicks, making the umpires’ jobs much more difficult.

“If we want a genuine funnel of umpires coming through, I think we need to change our language,” he said.

“It’s bloody tough to get people to sign up to be an umpire.”

‘It’s a lottery’

Making matters worse for officials in 2019 has been a suite of rules changes which have served to cause confusion among AFL fans.

An increased focus on ‘prohibited contact’ led to a couple of controversial decisions in the early rounds of the season.

Hawthorn’s James Sicily and West Coast’s Scott Lycett were both whistled for free kicks for what appeared to be only light contact with their opponents back in round two.

Lycett’s innocuous moment – which was largely missed at the time – was highlighted on AFL360 later that week, leaving footy writer Mark Robinson fuming.

“That’s not a free kick … we’ve lost our way in the first two weeks of this season,” Robinson said.

“When I was watching (the Sicily incident), I was thinking the umpire and the AFL must have got another camera angle to tick it off.”