AFL umpires say they would have to consider position if the bounce continued next year

THE bounce is in jeopardy as the AFL’s umpires cite safety concerns — but a former whistleblower says the league should never scrap the unique trait. VOTE: Should the bounce go?

Umpire Matt Stevic bounces the ball. Picture: Getty Images

THREE quarters of the AFL’s senior umpires have had a recent bounce-related injury as the unique tradition comes under increased threat.

The AFL Commission will in coming months make a decision on its future, with strong opinion from the AFL’s umpires that the bounce be abolished.

AFL Umpires Association boss Peter Howe recently presented to the Laws of the Game committee on the pros and cons of bouncing.

Wednesday whispers: Who will be in and out when teams are named for Round 23?

Clubs must keep 2018 draft picks unless securing a ready-made superstar, Gary Buckenara writes

Howe told the Herald Sun that 25 of the 33 senior umpires had suffered a back, shoulder or stress-related injury through bouncing in recent seasons.

The AFL’s umpires believe the league will inevitably abandon the bounce given the injuries and its impact on umpire recruitment and retention.

He said if the AFL Commission approved the bounce again for next year the umpires would have to consider their position.

AFL umpire Ellen Glouftsis in action ... the majority of her colleagues want the Picture: AAP

The AFL’s best umpire, Brett Rosebury, returned from a broken hand recently and threw the ball up in the centre square.

It is understood another umpire has also thrown the ball up in the centre square for much of this season — and no one has taken any notice.

Former umpire Derek Humphrey-Smith said the league should have an elite group of bouncers, and umpires who didn’t go into the centre square.

But Howe said that solution was unworkable because umpires needed to revolve through all three umpiring positions to share the physical load each game.

One solution for 2018 might be to allow umpires who are injured from bouncing or have issues with it to throw the ball up after goals while others continue bouncing.

Howe said a recent Occupational Health and Safety report into the medical ramifications of the bounce would be passed to the AFL Commission as part of the AFL submission.

“The umpires association wants the AFL to take a holistic view of the bounce which includes fairness, recruitment and retention and injury,’’ Howe said.

“In terms of whether we would accept the Commission’s decision (if the bounce continued), I would have to put that to the members.

“We have agreed we would bounce this year with the view to reviewing the whole process for next year.

“To be fair the way the umpires are doing it now, that’s gone a long way to keeping guys on the park this year.”

“We have a very good group of bouncers who can carry the load and that’s OK,’’ he said.

Humphrey-Smith retired after he developed the yips bouncing but says it is a unique skill that the AFL should never scrap.

Round 23 permutations

Adelaide wins

Finish top

Adelaide lose, GWS beat Geelong

Giants finish top

Geelong wins

Home final

Geelong loses

Finish fourth if Richmond beats St Kilda

Richmond wins and Geelong loses

Tigers finish third

Richmond loses, Port & Sydney win

Tigers finish sixth

Sydney & Port lose

Finish either fifth and sixth - percentage too good to be caught.

Melbourne wins

Finish 7th

Melbourne lose

Need either West Coast or Essendon to lose

Essendon wins

In the eight

Essendon lose

Need West Coast to lose

West Coast wins

Need Essendon to lose or Melbourne to lose by big margin

West Coast lose

Can't make it

St Kilda wins

Need Essendon and West Coast to lose

St Kilda lose

Can't make it

Bulldogs wins

Essendon, West Coast and St Kilda must all lose

Bulldogs lose

Premiership defence over

“The alternative is losing the bounce forever because once it’s gone it will never be reinstated.

“There are always ways around (OH and S) issues if you want to find a way.”

Humphrey Smith said bouncing the ball could be fiendishly difficult, citing his own retirement through the “yips”.

“I was tortured for years. I have mental scarring but I am all for keeping it.

“When you are holding a footy and you genuinely think it’s ticking, it gives you an indication. I went something like 1 for 14 by three quarter time (in my last game) and decided to throw it up.

“But it is quintessentially Australian and makes us unique on the world stage with commencing proceedings with a unique skill. No other sport does that.”