The AFL umpiring appointments for Thursday night’s match at Optus Stadium indicate that the league is supremely confident the alleged home crowd free kick bias in Perth doesn’t exist.

The Eagles’ ability to receive free kicks against visiting teams became a hot topic of conversation after a 25-12 count against St Kilda in round 11.

Excluding the derby, that took their season free kick tally at Optus Stadium this season to 150-101.

The noise of affirmation has been widely discussed as a potential reason for the lopsided count as huge crowds put pressure on umpires to pay certain decisions.

But the AFL’s response has been to appoint three West Australians to officiate in the match between West Coast and Essendon at Optus Stadium.

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Experienced WA whistleblowers Dean Margetts and Jeff Dalgleish will be joined by another local, Nathan Williamson, and South Australian Craig Fleer.

While the decision could raise eyebrows, it could be the answer to the problem.

The Eagles have played two home games this season where two West Australians have umpired and the free kick tally from those matches is 41-38.

The stats from matches where only one local blew the whistle is 53-31. It is 56-32 in games where no West Australian has umpired.

The Bombers have been on the wrong end of free kick tallies this season and will enter the game at 229-251.

We’re anticipating the free kick stats could attract more attention than anything else that happens in the game.