Tim Watson has implored the AFL not to introduce a player challenge system for goal umpiring decisions while urging the league to scrap the review process entirely.
The AFL Review Centre (ARC) was introduced late in the 2019 season and certainly had mixed results while mostly attracting derision.
It has been floated that an appeals process could be put in place where if a team or player is unhappy with a goal umpiring decision they can then contest that finding.
On Tuesday, AFL operations boss Steven Hocking indicated further that this could happen as early as next season, mainly centred around touched off the boot calls.
But former Essendon captain Watson does not want the system introduced, preferring to deal with the results of human error.
“Please don’t do this AFL,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“Let’s live with the fifty shades of grey in our game. Our game, if it wanted certainty and fairness, we would have played this with a circular ball, not an oval shaped ball.
“The introduction of a player review is another step towards a great, fast flowing game becoming a vehicle for advanced technology to show its latest trick.
“AFL, if you want to gaze into the future to see how reviewing takes over and ultimately destroys a game, watch the NFL.
“The NFL has become a video review game with a touch of live play attached to it.”
Watson initially supported the ARC but is no longer a fan after seeing the inefficient nature of the system.
“I did (support the ARC system), but (now) I’ve seen it,” he added.
“Sometimes you’ve got to see what happens and which direction it flows in. I want it all gone.
“Because, if we can improve that decision let’s try and improve this decision and then this decision and this decision.
“Last year in the NFL play-offs, there was a really bad decision that coast the (New Orleans) Saints the game. Because of the outrage over that, they sat down in the off-season and said, ‘ok, let’s have the introduction for a review of that type of interference call’.
“This year it has become a farce.”
Garry Lyon asked Watson what would be the best scenario with officiating goal umpiring decisions.
He simply said: “Umpire’s call.
“Just wear it. It’s always been one of the anomalies of the game.
“We are not going to get to a point where we are completely and utterly satisfied whether a ball flicks the edge of somebody’s finger or not.
“It is a crazy thing to try and introduce.”
Listen to Watson's plea on SEN Breakfast below: