The refereeing these days, since the bunker has been brought in, appears to have confused things, not "bettered" outcomes by eliminating howlers etc.
In former days, the referee and the touchies were in total control of decisions, in the moment, on the run, and their mix of experience and instinct allowed the players and fans an understanding of what's what. Maybe not always perfect, but tolerable.
Now, with the system of the referees and the bunker, there appears to me, at least, that the referees hold back, yet rely on the bunker (whether by design or by a lack of confidence in their decisions), and there's not a balance in the control on field.
Some things work, some of the time; and some things are consistent, but again not all the time.
Players, coaches and (sure as eggs) we fans are left scratching our heads with what we're being dished up from Round 1 till right now approaching the grand final.
Things have not improved - in fact, by any measure, things are worse.
The weekly farcial attempts by Annesley to explain mistakes are generally weighted to protect the officials. Some errors are not even covered at all.
Officials lack confidence.
The bunker lacks confidence (just look at how many times something is replayed, and replayed).
Are the officials trying to rule to the letter of the law, or to the flow of a game that they are seemingly wanting to manufacture?
Gee wizz, footy is a simple game.
With rules.
And balls.
It's about time someone had the balls to simplify how the rules are applied, fairly and consistently for players and fans alike, and then, by some miracle, we might all get on with enjoying the greatest game of all.
