An open letter to the umpiring department

Dear Chaps,

As 2008 dwindles to a close, thoughts turn to 2009. I wonder if we could look forward to the unusual spectacle of consistent interpretations of rules through the length of the 2009 season? Would it be too much to ask that, at the close of the 2009 season, TV and radio callers don’t have just cause to remark that a particular rule has “disappeared”.

And while we’re at it, perhaps we could instruct the umpires at each game to rely on what they actually see? Too often field umpires make crucial decisions from one hundred metres away, or when the ball is on the blind side of the pack.

We could also have a rethink of the advantage rule, lining players up to “kick over the mark” and then allowing them to play on to one side or even backwards, chopping the arms in a marking contest and incidental contacts of all sorts.

Apart from those things, you've all done very well!