Recently retired AFL umpire responds to radical proposals

Recently retired AFL umpire Dean Margetts says making the job full-time wouldn’t improve the standard of decision-making in the league.

Margetts officiated 377 games at the highest level and joined Tom Elliott on Thursday to discuss the sport’s umpire situation, given its current prominence on the back of the controversial umpire dissent rules.

Tom asked Margetts what could be done to attract more umpires to the game and whether making the job full-time would help.

“I don’t agree with that thought,” he said.

“The reality is, NRL referees are full-time but they still make the same amount of mistakes as they would if they weren’t full-time.

“It’s not going to make better decision-making.

“If an umpire finishes at 40, what are they going to do once they finish?

“I think you’ve got to have an outside outlet.”

He also explained why it can be hard to attract former players to the caper.

Press PLAY below to hear his thoughts

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)