Our AFL experts tackle some of the burning questions ahead of Round 12, including whether we're too harsh on umpires, what we learned from Melbourne's first loss of 2022, and which team has exceeded expectations most.
Should we cut umpires some slack?
Rohan Connolly: If this is with last Friday night's controversial finish in mind, absolutely. But even if not, absolutely. It's a bloody tough gig, with Australian football's laws more reliant on interpretation than any other sport I can think of. The SCG finish was a good example. We're always at them to show common sense and have a feel for the game, then criticise them for doing just that and NOT giving a 50-metre penalty according to the letter of the law. They're often also the whipping boys for others' misguided hobby horses (see the umpire dissent crackdown). And of course, they probably make fewer errors in the course of a game than players do.
Jake Michaels: I'm torn on this one. Part of me feels as though they should be held accountable for any wrong decisions (just as we hold players accountable for mistakes) but umpiring Aussie rules is no easy task, and it doesn't help that our officials still aren't full time employees. Something else worth noting is that we tend to over analyse decisions or non-decisions in the final moments of a tight game and skim over many others. I guess my takeaway is criticise the blatantly wrong calls but don't fixate and nitpick some of these 50-50s.
Matt Walsh: The over-analysis of calls in the finals seconds of games is laughable sometimes. Imagine doing it for every single decision or non-decision for every game - you'd go mad! None of the 'controversial' moments were umpired poorly, they're more 'flashpoints' than anything. Cut them some slack, for goodness sake.
Jarryd Barca: You know what the hardest job in footy is? Umpiring. Not just because of the pressure of responsibility you have to adjudicate such a fast-paced sport, but because your performance is so heavily scrutinised - and often unfairly. The Chad Warner non-call is common sense, and if the umps are going to blow the whistle for every identical Sam Walsh incident that occurs in games, we'd be up in arms that there are 100 free kicks being paid per match. Will they get some calls wrong? Yep. Are you perfect at your job? Doubt it. So settle down, the end result of a footy game will always work out for itself.
What's your takeaway from Melbourne's loss to Fremantle?
RC: I have no worries about Melbourne whatsoever. Seventeen games without defeat is a phenomenal run in this age, and in terms of keeping the Dees sharp and reminded that anyone is beatable, it may be just what they need. I think the result spoke more to Fremantle's capabilities. I wasn't convinced that the Dockers were that capable offensively as well as defensively. But that third term was some burst, repeat that regularly and they'll be hard to stop.
JM: Honestly, not much. Nobody really thought the Dees would go through the season undefeated, so a loss is hardly shocking. If there's any concern, though, it's how vulnerable the backline looked once star defender Steven May was subbed out of the game. Maybe what we all learned is that May is Melbourne's most important player.
MW: Good teams have bad weeks. True for Fremantle, who managed just four goals against the Suns, and then lost to the Pies the next week, and true for the Dees, who have faltered for the first time in 2022. All teams are fallible, and that's why this years finals series will be so interesting ... who is going to throw down the biggest challenge to Melbourne?
JB: That the Dees are genuinely beatable and the Dockers' previous two losses against Collingwood and Gold Coast were likely just an aberration in the wet - they're the real deal, and the race for the flag is wide open.
Which club has exceeded your expectations most in 2022?
RC: Collingwood. Yes, I'm an idiot who tipped them for the wooden spoon (I just saw other teams improving more). But Craig McRae is doing a wonderful job, particularly in the speed of improvement and development the younger faces in the team are showing. I like their game style, too; positive, attacking, not so cautious that it inhibits flair and leaves players too scared to make mistakes. For the Pies, he's been a breath of fresh air.
JM: Could it be the Suns? Stuart Dew's side is 5-6 after 11 rounds but already boast wins over legit contenders Carlton, Sydney and Fremantle. Not sure anyone could honestly have predicted those upsets. Jarrod Witts might just be the mid-year All-Australian ruckman, Touk Miller is carrying from where he left off in 2021 and Charlie Ballard has turned himself into an elite defender. Oh, and don't forget Ben King hasn't played a minute this year. I don't want to be hyperbolic but I think this is the best Suns team without Gary Ablett we've seen.
MW: I thought Fremantle would be good, and competitive, but vying for a top four position at the bye? It's pretty impressive, especially considering there's no real power forward of note - just a strong team contribution built around a solid intercepting, transition defence, and a nuggety midfield. Kudos to Justin Longmuir, they're playing some good footy.
JB: I really like what the Saints are doing (and have to put up my hand and admit I didn't have them making finals at the start of the year). You can't help but applaud Brett Ratten for having this side flying after 11 rounds with a record of 8-3. They've got one of the best key forwards in the game sitting equal second in the Coleman, a great mix of talls and smalls across the park, an honest midfield currently without its skipper that ranks fourth for centre clearances, and one of the best half-back flank duos in Brad Hill and Jack Sinclair. Is this where I also mention I still think they'll drop out? They are fun to watch, though.
Which Round 12 game will have the biggest impact on the season?
RC: There's some tasty stuff even on the abbreviated menu this week, but I suspect Fremantle vs. Brisbane is the main course, the others merely an entrée. Freo couldn't have been more impressive against Melbourne, but if it drops another game at home (even to a very good opponent) will have to hand back some of those credits. But it's a big challenge for the Lions, too, having lost to Hawthorn then having to work particularly hard to get over the Giants. They need a lift, particularly given they're only one win inside the top four right now.
JM: Friday night's Dogs-Cats clash is HUGE, particularly if the Bulldogs win. I think many of us wrote the Bulldogs off quite early after a disappointing 1-3 start to the year, but a win over Geelong could have them closing in on the top four, drawing level on wins with the Cats themselves. With Richmond looking strong, Port Adelaide enjoying a nice run of form and Collingwood coming off a big win over Carlton, we may have to reassess the make up of the top eight (one which looked so settled just a fortnight ago).
MW: All in all, it's a pretty good slate of games for a bye week - but Jake nails it. There's a battle further up the ladder between Fremantle and Brisbane, but the battle ongoing in the lower reaches is far more interesting; the Dogs are back at Marvel after games in Ballarat and Perth, and host the Cats who are a game ahead of them on the ladder. A loss for the Dogs really gives Port and (who would have thought?!) the Suns a sniff, while a Geelong loss brings them back into the pack. Can't wait!
JB: For reasons alluded to by Jake and Matt, the repercussions coming out of Friday night's Bulldogs-Geelong clash are massive, but I think in the context of the season, Melbourne vs. Sydney at the MCG could have a similar if not greater influence on the make up of the ladder. I know they're coming off a compelling win, but Sydney's position in the top eight appears most at risk and with matches against Port (in Adelaide), St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Fremantle approaching after this week, an upset against the Dees -- who also have an up-for-grabs minor premiership to fight for -- could just save their season.