While finals time brings the best footballers out to play, it can sometimes bring out the worst in supporters.
Let’s be honest, in the heat of the moment we can get carried away in a passionate display.
But I have no time for fans who abuse the umpire.
Standing at a country football game on the weekend, I was horrified by fans who were swearing at the umpire over perfectly reasonable decisions.
There was one lady who called the umpire a “(This quote has been removed in the interests of decency)”.
Then she told him he could “(Trust me, you don’t want to know)”.
It was a disgusting display in front of a number of young and impressionable fans, many of who play the game we all love in junior ranks.
Do fans forget that without umpires there is no game?
They are not perfect, but who is?
They will not always get every decision right, but who does?
So on the eve of the AFL grand final and the finals series of country leagues across Western Australia, let me be the first to thank the umpires for their efforts.
As an umpire, I promise to support you and honour the decision you make – even if you are awarding a 50 metre penalty against my favourite player.
I agree to stand by you for better or worse – even thought I thought the ball touched the post on the way through.
I vow to respect you for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health – even if you insist on continuing to wear fluorescent uniforms.
You have my promise that I will be faithful to you – so long as you continue to support the Australian game.
There, that wasn’t so hard was it?
And don’t even get me started on booing...
