But on a serious note, home team umpiring is totally out of hand this year. Its lots of little things that just happen to break the way of the home team. Like shepherding in a marking contest, deliberate out of bounds, paying "in the back" instead of "holding the ball". It all adds up, and then you get Adelaide, unstoppable at home against us, a week later struggling against Geebung. Some with Port - slaughter the Hawks at home, but a week earlier lose to Geebung.
The worst thing is I'm not sure its accidental. The AFL want crowds, and the crowd go home happy after a home team win. The umpires don't get booed off the field. And the travelling team were expecting to get shafted anyway.
It doesn't happen every game. Against North Melbourne at Subi the umpiring appeared absolutely atrocious to me, which means it was probably pretty fair. But many games are ridiculous.
