Umpires are now bigger than the game

[heater31]

Grant Thomas reportedly has been sacked from his SEN radio gig immediately due to his constant ridicule of the Umpires.

The sacking comes as the station is negotiating the rights to call some AFL games in the next media rights deal.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25463125-5016212,00.html

If the umpires don't want to be ridiculed then perhaps they shouldn't be so noticeable with bright uniforms and microphones and forced to make complex interpretations of stupid rules that is killing this game.

[stan]

Grant Thomas reportedly has been sacked from his SEN radio gig immediately due to his constant ridicule of the Umpires.

The sacking comes as the station is negotiating the rights to call some AFL games in the next media rights deal.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25463125-5016212,00.html

If the umpires don't want to be ridiculed then perhaps they shouldn't be so noticeable with bright uniforms and microphones and forced to make complex interpretations of stupid rules that is killing this game.

The media and the AFL are responsible for this. The umps have way too much to do these days.

[RoosterMarty]

Take the microphones off them. I am sick and tired of hearing those little midget freaks chatter away constantly.

[dedja]

The official reason given by SEN is financial.

Whilst I don't wish for anyone to be sacked, Thommo has so many skeletons in the closet and chips on his shoulders that its possible that one of these have come back to haunt him.

... and I think the AFL/umpires conspiracy theory is a bit far fetched.

[JK]

Take the microphones off them. I am sick and tired of hearing those little midget freaks chatter away constantly.

Completely agree, hate the microphones

[dedja]

Take the microphones off them. I am sick and tired of hearing those little midget freaks chatter away constantly.

Completely agree, hate the microphones

+1 ... except I wished that Tony Dey had one last Sat at the Bay!

[Rik E Boy]

Take the microphones off them. I am sick and tired of hearing those little midget freaks chatter away constantly.

Amen Chook. And stop changing the ******* rules...give the umps half a chance and we might get less explanation and less self promotion. What the microphones do is make Umpires communicate with the television audience when all along they should be communicating with the players. Like or loathe KG, at least he understands this.

regards,

REB

[Brad]

And tell them to stop talking about this fricken DVD they go on about!

[dedja]

Blame the Geish and that non-footballing lawyer, Adrian Anderson ... therein lies the problem.

The SANFL is right on this one, while the standard isn't up there, we certainly have grass roots footy with umpiring a lot more like it should be; we hardly notice them and can't hear them ... its certainly the Real Deal.

[heater31]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25476452-5016212,00.html

well it looks like some of the speculation might have some truth in it

Not surprisingly, the AFL's media headkickers - or monitors if you wish - would often text on-air staff and producers, clearly outraged at what had just been said.

The gist was along the lines: That's rubbish. Take him off. Pull your heads in.

The most recent, to my knowledge, occurred last Wednesday when Sam Newman was a guest on the Morning Glory program. Newman, among other issues, urged the people to keep the pressure on the umpires.

Minutes later, host Andy Maher received a text message from the AFL.

The message: Umpire bashing again is not really constructive, or words to that effect.

If Grant Thomas was sacked for financial reasons then it is only for the future financial situation of the station when the manage to get the AFL media rights currently up for negotiation.....

[dedja]

Well indeed, I may stand corrected.

Love the bit at the end ... Mark Robinson works as a footy commentator at SEN

Maybe tomorrow this will read ... Mark Robinson used to work as a footy commentator at SEN

[Leaping Lindner]

The AFL and SEN are currently negotiating for the rights to the football for the next few seasons. The AFL have a "hit list" of commentators they are displeased with on the station. Thomas is the first sacrifice offered up to the great gods at Football House. Expect more.

[Adelaide Hawk]

What about that guest commentator who used to come on and talk about the Crows? Has he been sacked as well?

[Leaping Lindner]

What about that guest commentator who used to come on and talk about the Crows? Has he been sacked as well?

He was the first to go. He was a real boofhead! Mind you he never got paid it was all voluntary......

[gadj1976]

Not sure about using this topic so long after the last post, however this seems to have slipped under the radar somewhat.

From the HeraldSun website

AFL umpire Stuart Wenn axed after sledging Daniel Connors

Stuart Wenn has apologised for his inappropriate behaviour towards Daniel Connors. Source: Herald Sun

AFL umpire Stuart Wenn has been axed from this weekend's round of matches following the storm over his on-field sledge of Richmond defender Daniel Connors.

Wenn has missed out on selection to officiate in round 22.

Instead he been listed as an emergency umpire for Sunday's Melbourne-North Melbourne clash at Etihad Stadium.

Wenn was caught on a microphone last weekend telling Connors as he tangled with his St Kilda opponent Andrew McQualter: "You're batting way out of your league".

Umpires boss Jeff Gieschen said this week the incident was "totally out of character" for Wenn.

The umpire also apologised to Connors personally and publicly for his gaffe.

[Media Park]

Good on him!

[Q.]

If there's one thing that is glaringly obvious when watching football from the 80's and 90's it's that you barely notice the umps. Different story in today's game.

[gadj1976]

And Scott McLaren has a press conference to announce his retirement FFS!

[Adelaide Hawk]

And Scott McLaren has a press conference to announce his retirement FFS!

Geez, I hope nobody asks a question he doesn't like or looks at him the wrong way, umpires don't like that sort of thing.

[prowling panther]

And Scott McLaren has a press conference to announce his retirement FFS!

Wanker!!!