SA Footy

i've noticed he's umpired the last 2 or 3 sanfl games which i'm a little bemused about because there is a lot worse umpires than him still umpiring at that level (afl), so does anyone know what the story is as i can only think of he's given the afl away but thought that highly unlikely at this stage of the season

sturtpeter wrote::evil:

do you like any of the umpires??

I have a favourite one.

sturtpeter wrote:I have a favourite one.

I'm guessing its not Williams or Rowston

LBT wrote:

sturtpeter wrote:I have a favourite one.

I'm guessing its not Williams or Rowston

Des Foster.

bayman wrote:i've noticed he's umpired the last 2 or 3 sanfl games which i'm a little bemused about because there is a lot worse umpires than him still umpiring at that level (afl), so does anyone know what the story is as i can only think of he's given the afl away but thought that highly unlikely at this stage of the season

I'll think you'll find that there is a surruptitious push for the AFL umpiring fraternity to be full time and Melbourne based. SA based umpires like Michael Avon and Derek Woodcock have been in and out of the AFl ranks all year. One reason being given is that because they aren't under the weekly tutilage of the AFL umpiring coaches they aren't able to correct their flaws as quickly as if they were in Melbourne. In other words they have to do more to push their claims than the Melbourne based umpires.

No such problems for the other SA umpire on the AFL panel, Justin Schmitt who has been living in Melbourne for quite some time now.

Woodcock retired from AFL last year, I believe it was something to do with increasing standard of fitness required at the elite level or something. I've always rated him as a very good umpire that was continually messed around with at AFL level.

He was a disgrace yesterday and should change his last name, it was once revered at Norwood!

Derek has back problems and cannot commit to the fitness level required with the AFL

Bollocks..... nothing "surrEptitious" about it at all. Derek retired from AFL footy for injury(back), lifestyle and family reasons. Wasn't anyone's decision that Dereks.

Who gave the reason that Derek wasn't being used due to him not being under the tutilige of the AFL umpiring coaches"? Thats incorrect. Nothing to look too deeply into... or look for an ulterior reasoning.

1980 Tassie Medalist wrote:

bayman wrote:i've noticed he's umpired the last 2 or 3 sanfl games which i'm a little bemused about because there is a lot worse umpires than him still umpiring at that level (afl), so does anyone know what the story is as i can only think of he's given the afl away but thought that highly unlikely at this stage of the season

I'll think you'll find that there is a surruptitious push for the AFL umpiring fraternity to be full time and Melbourne based. SA based umpires like Michael Avon and Derek Woodcock have been in and out of the AFl ranks all year. One reason being given is that because they aren't under the weekly tutilage of the AFL umpiring coaches they aren't able to correct their flaws as quickly as if they were in Melbourne. In other words they have to do more to push their claims than the Melbourne based umpires.

No such problems for the other SA umpire on the AFL panel, Justin Schmitt who has been living in Melbourne for quite some time now.

fester69 wrote:He was a disgrace yesterday and should change his last name, it was once revered at Norwood!

He's the son of Brian Woodcock, 1966 Reserves Magarey Medallist. Not an easy game to umpire yesterday, and I thought he did okay.

joelie wrote:Bollocks..... nothing "surrEptitious" about it at all. Derek retired from AFL footy for injury(back), lifestyle and family reasons. Wasn't anyone's decision that Dereks.

Who gave the reason that Derek wasn't being used due to him not being under the tutilige of the AFL umpiring coaches"? Thats incorrect. Nothing to look too deeply into... or look for an ulterior reasoning.

1980 Tassie Medalist wrote:

bayman wrote:i've noticed he's umpired the last 2 or 3 sanfl games which i'm a little bemused about because there is a lot worse umpires than him still umpiring at that level (afl), so does anyone know what the story is as i can only think of he's given the afl away but thought that highly unlikely at this stage of the season

I'll think you'll find that there is a surruptitious push for the AFL umpiring fraternity to be full time and Melbourne based. SA based umpires like Michael Avon and Derek Woodcock have been in and out of the AFl ranks all year. One reason being given is that because they aren't under the weekly tutilage of the AFL umpiring coaches they aren't able to correct their flaws as quickly as if they were in Melbourne. In other words they have to do more to push their claims than the Melbourne based umpires.

No such problems for the other SA umpire on the AFL panel, Justin Schmitt who has been living in Melbourne for quite some time now.

That is correct joelie, he retired for the reasons as you stated. The thing about being an AFL umpire based in SA is every weekend you would be on a flight somewhere.

To be an AFL umpire based in SA it really is a life style thing to be on a plane for every weekend. Because lets be honest how many times a year will you umpire you in your home state? Not often for intersate umps.

So I think you can all see that Derek's retirement is a choice that he made rather than any other bullflop previously stated.

Also I regard him as a very good umpire.

Well not for the first time and certainly not for the last appears that I was wrong about D Woodcock's omission from the AFL umpiring ranks.

Stand by my comments though that the AFL umpiring department would like all umpires to be professional and based in Victoria.

Bottom line thought the AFl loss is the SANFLs gain with respect to Mr Woodcock.

LBT wrote:

sturtpeter wrote:I have a favourite one.

I'm guessing its not Williams or Rowston

I'm guessing it IS one of them, c'mon SP, how close am I?

agree again Fester I thought today Woodcock was a disgrace. He seems to not care at all about what he is doing.
An example.....in the second quarter Chambers dived to mark and it bounced in front of him, he waved play on but the other umpire paid the mark. He clearly saw it was not a mark but did not have the guts to overrule the other umpire. That is weak ! That is why we have 3 umpires !
He missed so many free kicks it was pathetic.
He should retire now because his heart is not in it.

SDK wrote:agree again Fester I thought today Woodcock was a disgrace. He seems to not care at all about what he is doing.
An example.....in the second quarter Chambers dived to mark and it bounced in front of him, he waved play on but the other umpire paid the mark. He clearly saw it was not a mark but did not have the guts to overrule the other umpire. That is weak ! That is why we have 3 umpires !
He missed so many free kicks it was pathetic.
He should retire now because his heart is not in it.

Yeah I saw that too. The other umpire IMO was in a better position to make the call so thats why no over-rule. Watched that bit again on TV and I coudnt tell from the camera angle (the same as Woodcock) that it was a half-volley or not.

SDK wrote:He should retire now because his heart is not in it.

What a ridiculous comment that his heart is not in it!!! moving from the big money in the AFL to peanuts at SANFL would suggest the only reason he continues is because his heart is in the game! SANFL needs more like him!

eternalracer wrote:

SDK wrote:He should retire now because his heart is not in it.

What a ridiculous comment that his heart is not in it!!! moving from the big money in the AFL to peanuts at SANFL would suggest the only reason he continues is because his heart is in the game! SANFL needs more like him!

Exactly if you knew Derek you would know he is avery passionate in anything he does and very competant. Umpiring in the wet is extremely hard and IMO its better to let the game go rather than stoppages and giving tiggy touch free kicks. Sounds like he is damned if he gave the frees damned if he didnt.....

Clue: Currently Umpiring. Over 30.