One of the great elements of our game is the theatre the umpires provide. I genuinely love the suspense generated from a ‘holding the ball’ all, or a ‘deliberate out of bounds’ under arm swing.
I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that the goal umpires no longer come to the middle of the goal line to signal a goal. The walk up to the line to do a double finger salute was one of my favourites.
When you’re standing on the mark and the ball carrier is searching for an option, it can feel like you’re waiting at a set of lights, each second that passes edges you closer to that green signal.
