Bounce the ball or throw it up?

[Hondo]

I didn't see the incident but they were talking on 5AA about the NM/Coll game where an umpire's bounce went at right angles straight to Adam Simpson who moved it on and NM got a goal on the same play.

In such an even match those sort of things can make a big difference (this isn't a dig at NM's win BTW ... another gutsy effort).

But how long will they persist with the umps bouncing the ball, leaving higher room for human error than if they simply threw it up? I know aesthetically there's something about that first bounce to start the match but why rely on such a unique skill when there is so much riding on the games these days.

Some will say the umps simply need to practice and get it right but I say a ball-up achieves the same result with much reduced margin for error. No need to show-case such an obscure skill just throw it up and ensure the both sides get an even crack at it. The SANFL have it right IMO.

[Wedgie]

Throw it up, I hated rucking bounces, mind you it would have been easier if there was a circle like the AFL and SANFL have now.
Its ridiculous that we allow luck to come into a contest, if its thrown up reasonably straight each time both sides are on the same playing field.

Imagine this, ball gets bounced in the AFL grand final, 30 minutes into the last quarter with scores all locked away, its a shocker of a bounce and goes straight to a rover who takes 2 bounces and kicks a point as the siren goes to win the premiership. Shouldn't be allowed to happen.

[Mr66]

Throw it up.
Players making mistakes is part of the game, umpires making mistakes should not be.

[Thiele]

Just throw it up

[gadj1976]

keep bouncing it, but recall it if it's determined that it wont bounce back in the centre circle. This means both ruckmen, or at least a little bloke can contest the centre bounce.

Where's logic gone in this stupid game of ours? I just heard Gieschen try and defend that bounce in the Nth Collingwood game. He's a complete goose who's lost touch with what the viewers want, a fair contest.

[hearts on fire]

go the throw up.

If we get too many sh1tty bounces and keep calling them back to be re-done, we are going to be stopping and starting all the time.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I've got no problem with the bounce, but if the bounce is a poor one, recall it. If the umpires are having trouble bouncing the ball for whatever reason, then they should elect to throw it up as an alternative.

As someone who has done my share of ruckwork, I much prefered rucking to the bounce than the throw up. I just couldn't get my rhythm right when the ball was thrown up.

Also, if the ball was thrown up all the time, the taller ruckman would genrally win most of the hit outs. When the ball is bounced, the ruckman need more skills than just reaching up to tap the ball.

[NFC]

Pretty simple I would've thought. Keep the bounce, but recall it if not done correctly.

[Dirko]

Pretty simple I would've thought. Keep the bounce, but recall it if not done correctly.

Ditto...

Bounce the ball in the centre, recall if not done right, throw up around the ground....

[JK]

Agree with the calls to keep the bounce and just recall and replace with a throw if the ump fluffs one.

Some will say it's the rule thats wrong, but surely it's Gieshen's interpretation thats wrong?

[Psyber]

To be perfectly fair and eliminate any element of chance from the game shoot it up dead vertically with an air cannon - nice and high so there is time to get the cannon off the field before it comes down. This seems to be a natural onflow from closed stadia, constantly replaced turf, and ultimately padded synthetic grass, and steroid manipulated players etc.

[Sojourner]

Bounce.

[RustyCage]

Pretty simple I would've thought. Keep the bounce, but recall it if not done correctly.

Hey NFC - We agree on something!!!

[Strawb]

Pretty simple I would've thought. Keep the bounce, but recall it if not done correctly.

Hey NFC - We agree on something!!!

agree here bounce it we have for 150 years why not keep bouncing it.

[Sojourner]

agree here bounce it we have for 150 years why not keep bouncing it.

I am not sure that tradition plays a large part anymore in the way that the game is regulated by the AFL!

Considering how sanitised the tackling has become, how much longer before they remove the Point Posts altogether and switch to a round Gaelic ball, surely that would be easier to bounce both for the Umpire and Players!.......

[Dogwatcher]

I nearly threw up when I saw that bounce on Saturday night!

But...

Keep the bounce, just massage the rules a bit.

The AFL have introduced a centre circle in which the ruckmen have to be inside. The call back rule should be applied to ensure that the ruckmen get a chance to undertake their duty. If the ball bounces outside the circle - it should be called back. This allows for some deviation inside the circle (which should be allowed due to the nature of our odd shaped ball), but also gives both sides a fair chance if there is a bad bounce.

[Booney]

umpires making mistakes should not be.

Ok,here on Earth....

[sydney-dog]

bounce, however recall the poor bounces

[mighty hounds]

i was watching the winners and i saw that bounce in the Nm/coll game. and i dont know wat to call it, it was terrible to say the least, i dont think it got more then 1 metre of the ground and i bleive it happens went coll were 2 points i front

[Mr66]

umpires making mistakes should not be.

Ok,here on Earth....

I know.
Wishful thinking but ya gotta belive in somefing!