Former umpire Jordan Bannister has a message for the critics. Credit:Michael Dodge Hearing these "experts" discuss free-kick counts is as silly as allowing commentators to bet on AFL games. Do people really expect free-kick counts to be even? Do people expect the result of AFL games to be even? West Coast had a winning percentage of 85 per cent at Subiaco last year and 50 per cent for away games. It is a fact that they play more effectively at Subiaco. So is it really that surprising that their free-kick count could be more favourable at home? Sometimes a winning team will win the free-kick count because they are first to the ball and draw more free kicks. Sometimes a winning team will lose the free-kick count because they are more aggressive and fired up. No game is the same and nor should a free-kick count be. I've officiated at every AFL venue and I can assure you that most of the time you don't hear the noise of the crowd until the decision is made. The whistle is already at the umpire's mouth by the time the sound reaches your ears. If there is subconsciously one per cent of influence by the home crowd, then deal with it. You have employed humans, not robots. These guys are the most elite umpires in the country with 100 per cent integrity. Umpires are given a book full of complicated interpretations that change annually thanks to the AFL Laws Committee. Coach Hayden Kennedy does a fantastic job to ensure the umpires are prepared and supported.

Clear free kick: the Callum Mills deliberate call. Credit:Getty Images Umpires train for all conditions simulating noise, fatigue and unique scenarios. An example is completing a spin class on a bike while officiating a game on a big screen with the volume and crowd noise at a maximum. Umpires must correctly umpire the game while completing the intense cardio session. Umpires make 2.2 errors a game out of 400-plus decisions (factoring in non-decisions). To me it is deplorable how they are treated but that is the culture of our great game. So many times I listen to commentators or journalists make incorrect observations on free kicks. I remember throwing a chicken nugget at the TV last year when Cameron Ling incorrectly hung an umpire out to dry.

There are some great commentators such as Brian Taylor, Dermott Brereton and Dwayne Russell who make an effort to talk to umpires about interpretations before games and at airports. Commentators and journalists have a huge influence on fans, so it is critical that they are more accurate and responsible when it comes to commenting on umpiring decisions. This is important for every level of football. AFL umpires can take the criticism but it sets a tone for the younger umpires who cop the same criticism over the fence on Sunday. The AFL's own media arm has a "Whistleblowers" segment in which umpires' decisions are critiqued. Which brings us to the first batch of controversial decisions for the season, which prompted cries of "worst decision of the year" (Paul Roos), "disgraceful" and "back to the VFL" (Ryan Fitzgerald). First, the deliberate rushed behind paid against Sydney's Callum Mills in the final quarter against the Bulldogs.

AFL umpires would have viewed more than 100 clips of similar incidents and would have all identified a clear deliberate rushed behind. Mills was not under significant pressure and clearly, deliberately knocked the ball for a behind. Not controversial, not an umpire wanting to get involved, just a correct free kick. Second, a free kick paid to Richmond's Shaun Grigg for a block in the ruck. Grigg's opponent had his back to play and prevented Grigg from contesting the ruck. The umpire confirmed multiple times that Grigg had nominated for the ruck. He did everything right and simply enforced a complicated new rule introduced this year. Third, a push in the back paid to Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo against the Crows. Ninety-nine out of 100 fans would say that was an error. However, umpires process a holding-the-ball free kick factoring in layers of information such as prior opportunity, whether a player is making a genuine attempt and whether a tackle is legal. The umpire sees David Mackay on top of Puopolo's back, which is a strong indicator for a push in the back as the player cannot dispose with an opponent on his back. However, it is just an indicator and the umpire must factor in all information. From an umpire's point of view, this is not as clear-cut as some AFL greats would think. Only people who have umpired AFL truly understand how difficult the game is to officiate at that level. Mistakes will always happen and umpires will always hold themselves accountable, despite what fans may believe. Jordan Bannister played 67 games for Essendon and Carlton and umpired 97 AFL matches.