Umpire Cards - $50 well spent?
Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:17 pmPersonally I think it's THE most stupid thing ever done by the AFL. If the AFL are looking to increase the umpires profiles, then I would fear personal retribution outside the playing arena from some loony hell bent on revenge (even though we know this shouldn't happen, it could!).
Question - does any other sport put their officialdom on a pedestal like we try to in the AFL?
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Ump cards 'stupid' - Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett
Rebecca Williams | June 16, 2009 10:27pm
Have your say!Add your comments or read what others are saying
JEFF Kennett has already been fined $5000 for comments about umpires this season, but that hasn't stopped him taking aim again.
The Hawthorn president yesterday ridiculed the decision of the AFL Umpires' Association to release a set of umpire collector cards.
Kennett said the collector cards showed the umpires did not understand their position in the game.
Kennett's latest umpire lashing comes after he was fined $5000 by the AFL six weeks ago for saying the officials were "almost bigger than the game".
He chose the fine rather than attend umpiring school.
Despite the fine, Kennett did not hold back.
"I think the move by the umpires' association to put out cards with umpires and boundary umpires on it is the height of stupidity," Kennett told SEN radio.
"Umpires are not the reason people go to watch a game of football. They are there to adjudicate efficiently and quietly, and I'm afraid and fear these cards are going to be the best non-sellers of the year.
"It's a failure of appreciation by those who are trying to manage their affairs that umpires are not and should not be the focus of the game, and I think it will be embarrassing when so few people purchase them. Why would you do it?"
Kennett appears safe from sanction, with AFL spokesman Patrick Keane saying the former Victorian premier's latest outburst was not an issue for the league.
"The decision to introduce the umpires cards is not an AFL one, it's an AFL Umpires' Association decision," Keane said.
"So if Jeff's critical of it, it's a matter for the umpires' association as to whether they agree or disagree.
"We have no role in it."
AFLUA chief executive Bill Deller did not want to honour Kennett's comments with a response.
"I would not be bothered even commenting on that," Deller said yesterday.
The AFLUA has released a series of 72 cards featuring field, goal and boundary umpires in match-day action shots.
The set, available through the AFLUA website, costs $50.
Question - does any other sport put their officialdom on a pedestal like we try to in the AFL?
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Ump cards 'stupid' - Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett
Rebecca Williams | June 16, 2009 10:27pm
Have your say!Add your comments or read what others are saying
JEFF Kennett has already been fined $5000 for comments about umpires this season, but that hasn't stopped him taking aim again.
The Hawthorn president yesterday ridiculed the decision of the AFL Umpires' Association to release a set of umpire collector cards.
Kennett said the collector cards showed the umpires did not understand their position in the game.
Kennett's latest umpire lashing comes after he was fined $5000 by the AFL six weeks ago for saying the officials were "almost bigger than the game".
He chose the fine rather than attend umpiring school.
Despite the fine, Kennett did not hold back.
"I think the move by the umpires' association to put out cards with umpires and boundary umpires on it is the height of stupidity," Kennett told SEN radio.
"Umpires are not the reason people go to watch a game of football. They are there to adjudicate efficiently and quietly, and I'm afraid and fear these cards are going to be the best non-sellers of the year.
"It's a failure of appreciation by those who are trying to manage their affairs that umpires are not and should not be the focus of the game, and I think it will be embarrassing when so few people purchase them. Why would you do it?"
Kennett appears safe from sanction, with AFL spokesman Patrick Keane saying the former Victorian premier's latest outburst was not an issue for the league.
"The decision to introduce the umpires cards is not an AFL one, it's an AFL Umpires' Association decision," Keane said.
"So if Jeff's critical of it, it's a matter for the umpires' association as to whether they agree or disagree.
"We have no role in it."
AFLUA chief executive Bill Deller did not want to honour Kennett's comments with a response.
"I would not be bothered even commenting on that," Deller said yesterday.
The AFLUA has released a series of 72 cards featuring field, goal and boundary umpires in match-day action shots.
The set, available through the AFLUA website, costs $50.
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