The clock is ticking . . . again

I’d like someone to explain the benefit to be gained from countdown clocks being displayed (The Age). I don't just mean at the ground for the paying customers, I mean on television and radio (you know what I mean!) and especially to the competing teams.

Who is not bored to the back teeth with players holding the ball up like some Olympian trophy to signify that the team is attempting to "ice the clock"?

If it's a close contest, I definitely don't want to know how much time is left. That knowledge kills the suspense and excitement. I want the players to be desperate at the contest right to the final second, not chipping the ball around a deserted backline to waste the few seconds the bench has notified them are left.

We've just killed off (hopefully) the Bowden Manoeuvre, which was nothing more than a time-wasting trick. I want to keep the coaches, media and crowd in total suspense until the siren sounds, and avoid the ugly time-wasting exercises that blight our game.