Zealots rule — again

Watching last night’s Essendon-Carlton game on TV rather than live, courtesy of a broken arm sustained on Thursday, we were staggered at the degree of over-umpiring employed. True, the Giesch’s chief zealot, Steve McBurney was front and centre, but his colleagues on the night participated equally in the orgy of tiggy touchwood frees and overly-technical 50-metre penalties, to the detriment of the game.

 

Were these same umpiring attitudes to be displayed for the seven remaining games of the round, we would be less concerned, but we’d wager a considerable sum against that possibility. As for seeing them next week, well there’s more chance of a thylacine romping down Collins Street on Monday morning.

 

All that the game needs is consistency of approach and consistency of application. The only thing we get from The Giesch and his mob consistently is damnable inconsistency.

 

The Giesch must go!!!!

 

ps: Carlton were the better team on the night courtesy of better finishing. The umpiring, while deplorable, did not contribute materially to Essendon’s performance.