Fmr. AFL star David Rodan played 185 games for Richmond, Port Adelaide, and Melbourne before retiring in 2013. Now, he’s causing controversy with fans after not being chosen to be one of the goal umpires in the first week of finals. Rodan has since completely reinvented himself as a highly respected and effective goal umpire. He’s known for his stubbornness when it comes to his calls and seldom goes to the video review.
Despite his reputation for accuracy and a track record of making the right calls, Rodan’s absence has sparked outrage on social media. Even some of his harshest fans scratch their head at such a decision, passing off theories that he must have pissed off someone inside the AFL. What unites supporters is a simple faith. They compare him to other celebrated talents, like his brother Matt, widely regarded as one of the best goal umpires in the game today.
Rodan like a true conquering giant commands the field with titanic presence. He often chooses to make calls on his own, without reference to the ARC (AFL Review Centre). His confidence in the quality of his own judgment has earned him widespread respect among players and officials alike. This same trait appears to have contributed to his exclusion from the finals roster, with some fans speculating that the AFL prefers umpires who refer decisions more frequently.
The AFL named a bunch of first-time goal umpires for the finals. Graduates among them include Sam Walsh, Dylan Benwell, Matthew Dervan, Matt Maclure, Tom Sullivan, Alex Chisholm, Adam Wojcik and Sam Hunter. The decision to exclude Rodan has already resulted in sad cries from fans arguing that he should have made the cut.
“Rodan the best Goal ump in the game, doesn’t get a gig….” – a fan
Fans also flooded social media with their outrage at the move, calling it “baffling,” “unbelievable,” and “egregious.” One fan noted, “Clearly doesn’t refer enough decisions to the ARC,” highlighting a perceived bias against Rodan’s style of officiating.
Another fan expressed their disbelief: “A goal umpire who makes the right decisions and backs himself – the AFL can’t have that.” These comments highlight a chilling worry shared among fans of all clubs regarding the nature and process behind officiating appointments across the league.
