This sook has prompted bitter responses from rival clubs, such as the Giants where Dave Matthews accused Victorian clubs of narrow-minded political grandstanding.
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“Any further changes to the academy will only be made for political purposes. No other reason. Politics overriding strategy,” Matthews retorted.
Then there are the umpiring complaints which have been led by the senior coaches and magnified, followed by the AFL immediately changing the interpretation of holding the ball.
After Geelong’s shock loss to Port Adelaide in round nine, coach Chris Scott turned his post-match media conference into a rant about his frustrations on umpiring and the laws on the game. On his agenda were holding-the-ball and the advantage rules.
Scott’s sermon prompted the AFL new head of officiating Stephen McBurney and head umpiring coach Michael Jennings to drive to Geelong to meet with Scott to discuss his concerns.
Other coaches who have vented during the post-match media conference include Carlton’s Michael Voss who admitted he would contact the AFL to seek clarity on the rules after his team’s round 11 win against Gold Coast.
His rival on that day, Damien Hardwick, also used his media stage to slam the umpires.
“What I will say is 131 effective tackles today and there were (just) four holding-the-balls for both sides,” said Hardwick, urging the umpires to blow the whistle sooner.
The following week the AFL changed the interpretation to the holding-the-ball by granting players in possession less time to dispose of the ball.
If AFL football boss Laura Kane thought it would stop the complaining, she was wrong.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge voiced his dismay at the interpretation change after his side lost to Brisbane in round 13. He criticised the AFL for reacting so swiftly and changing the rules on the back of the coaches’ complaints.
“What’s happened is now the game has evolved and changed within the space of two weeks, and it’s risky now, and a concern, if we’re not looking after the ball winner,” he said.
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Beveridge is not alone. West Coast Adam Simpson could not hide his disappointment at a holding-the-ball decision that went against Elliot Yeo in his team’s thrilling nine-point loss against North Melbourne in round 13.
“I can’t coach differently. I don’t know what to say to Elliot. Don’t win the ball? I don’t know, it probably the wrong time to ask me,” Simpson said in frustration.
Kane would rightly front up each Monday to help explain some of the contentious decisions. It was the least she could do for the frustrated fans.
“I don’t understand how we emphasise one free kick and talk about that’s influenced the match and that’s the outcome. I don’t like that the AFL comes out and clarifies it,” he said.
This week the AFL said they would scrap that process.
The whinge festival this season doesn’t stop at the clubs and coaches.
On picking up newspapers on a Monday morning at any stage this season you could be forgiven for thinking the game is imploding. Provocative headlines including “The umpiring has never been in more disarray”, “How to fix the modern mess of congestion”, and “Greats call for change: Footy becoming like Auskick”, have been splashed across the back pages.
This coverage has extended to talkback radio and open invitations for the fans to smash the game. This theme has become lead items on some of the Monday night panel shows.
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For key media identities, opinions on umpiring, the state of the game and any criticism towards the AFL is low-hanging fruit. You are kicking with the breeze as most fans are happy to pile on and join in the whinge-fest.
It’s much harder and more polarising to watch all nine games and form strong opinions about a certain team, player or an underperforming coach. That takes work and will be met with fierce backlash, particularly on social media.
In reality, this season is shaping up to be one of the best, most open and exciting years we’ve ever seen.
Every team from league-leading Sydney to 13th-placed Hawthorn has a chance to win the premiership. Six teams are equal on eight wins, and only one win separates fifth and 13th. Yet, the constant sooking and complaining from coaches and influential voices threaten to tarnish the game and its image.
If we are not careful and the AFL allows this to continue, season 2024 will be remembered as the year of the whinger.
We must remember that while feedback is essential to improvement, there is a fine line between constructive criticism and constant complaining. Let’s hope we can turn the conversation back to the on-field brilliance and creative and thought-provoking opinions rather than just carp about the umpires, rules, draft ... there’s my whinge.
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