Sirens, Rules and Equity

Sunday 30 April York Park Launceston Tasmania.
Scene of the biggest mess in AFL History.


Umpire Mathew Nichols asks if his arse is on fire?
5 Fremantle players heard the siren why didnt umpire Nicholls?
If 5 people are waving there arms in your face, screaming and jumping up and down in front of you would you wave them aside and bounce the ball or stop to find out whats going on?

For those of you who have been living in a cave click the link for the article thanks to afl.com.au click here

The AFL today (03/05/2006) awarded the 4 points to Fremantle as they were in front when the siren sounded although the AFL's rules state that the game is over when the umpire acknowledges the siren by putting his arm in the air and blowing his whistle.

So the AFL has made a decision that they have based on what is morally correct, there decision is based to reflect equity and fairness, and whilst i do not disagree with these reasons being used to make the decision what ever happened to playing by the rules? Is the AFL now going to change the rules?

The AFL in my mind is setting a dangerous precedent, lets say next week Anthony Rocca gets flattened in the goal square with 30 seconds left, everybody knows the free is there yet the umpire misses it, does Eddie now have the ability to challenge the games outcome and say that all things being equal and fair that a free should have been awarded resulting in a certain goal? Morally Collingwood deserves the game, everything being fair and equal they deserve to win but under the rules it gives the umpire freedom to make his own decision, Under the rules the game at York Park should have been declared a draw.


The AFL has not taken into account the fact that people who placed money on this game may now miss out on thousands of dollars rightfully owed to them. I heard of one punter who will not get $32000 he WON FAIRLY on a footyquad bet from the TAB, he needed Fremantle to win by 1-12 points, the AFL has now said this was the case but where is his fairness and equity? Morally he should be paid but the TAB have stuck to there RULES despite other agencies cutting there losses and paying both tickets.

Is the AFL going to pay this man his deserved winnings seeing as though they have said they take full responsibility for what happened. If I was that man I would sue both the TAB and the AFL, if not for my winnings but for the stress and emotional pain.

Rules for one, Morals for another, not very EQUAL is it?