Fresh concerns arise over major AFL umpiring ‘flaw’... and what can be done to fix it

Pressure is mounting on the AFL to transition its umpires into full-time positions, as criticism over the incorrect calling of crucial in-game decisions continues to grow louder.

Most recently, the non-call of a trip on Melbourne superstar Kysaiah Pickett against Hawthorn last Saturday has caused an uproar that has resonated with many experts, including AFL 360’s Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon.

Speaking on Tuesday night to Fox Footy, Whateley questioned the management of umpires and the part-time nature of their roles, and that without a full-time commitment to the role, it could undermine the league’s consistency when it comes to decision making.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

“If I was in charge, I’d want to know why (these mistakes are happening)… I want to know chapter and verse what this is, how it relates to other decisions … and what’s to be done at a systematic level about it,” Whateley said on AFL 360.

“Say Geelong decided to change their defensive system tomorrow. They wouldn’t do that (with) defenders for a six o’clock Zoom, midfielders you come in at midday, and forwards, we’ll see you after work in at 5pm.

“No, no, no — we’re all in, and we’re not leaving the room until we’ve sorted this out. That seems to me the flaw in the umpiring set up at the moment.

“If you did have professional umpires who can then study, (they’re) into the room, and we’re not leaving until we’ve sorted out holding the ball. And we’ll be back tomorrow, and we’ll be back two days after that, and we’ll be back next week. That’s how you actually get uniformity across 40 (umpires), if the number has to be 40.”

As it stands, the vast majority of AFL umpires maintain full-time, week-to-week jobs outside of football — meaning a lot of their training and recovery is done independently at a personal expense.

Former AFL umpire Ray ‘Razor’ Chamberlain spoke to umpires’ work-life balance with AFL 360, noting that in its current form, it’s difficult for most to meet the professional demands of the modern game to the standard Whateley (and Brisbane coach Chris Fagan) had previously highlighted.

“I really love the sentiment of Chris,” Chamberlain said, in reference to the Brisbane coach’s public support for full-time umpiring.

“I do agree more time (but) I don’t agree full-time’s necessarily the right term. I think the game deserves and demands elite; so it’s got to be enough time and enough resources to equate to elite performance, elite preparation (and) elite recovery.”

The 20-year umpiring veteran then referenced long-time colleague and umpire Brett Rosebury as an example of the sacrifices made by top-level officials to maintain elite standards, as well as the heavily-scrutinised environment that umpires work under.

Yes or no to these AFL rule changes? | 02:08

“Rosebury will go into work, he’ll whack in three or four hours to get in early. He’ll then leave his place of work … and do his pilates; he’ll pay for that out of his own pocket. And then he’ll go back to work, and he’ll continue on his merry way with his vocational pursuit during the day,” Chamberlain continued.

“So Brett, who’s been a leader, 500-game umpire, nine Grand Finals — all of the rest — he will not only take the time out of day, but he’ll also pay for it out of his own pocket to undertake what it takes to be the best over 20 years.

“The umpiring environment can be somewhat of a negative one.

“It can be a challenging environment to be in when it’s your only release in terms of your headspace. And that can be quite an unhealthy place to be.

“Having outlets I think’s really important … which drags you out of the mire of what can be a challenging environment. And we see that with players too, having some diversity to their life.

“The umpires need to be placed in a position where they are resources and remunerated to a level that allows them to make it their priority … people have got bills to pay.”

Click here to read article