AFL: 'Third eye' glasses on trial
THE AFL’s move to introduce video reviews for contentious goal line decisions has gone even more high tech with the news it will trial cutting-edge "third eye"
In the Essendon-Sydney Swans NAB Cup clash at Etihad Stadium, a goal umpire is set to wear glasses fitted with a small camera, while the experiment will be repeated in Saturday night’s Hawthorn-Melbourne match.
Video goal reviews have been trialled in the NAB Cup for the past few seasons and look increasingly likely to be introduced for the premiership season from this year. If they are, AFL is confident the vision from the $30,000 "third eye" glasses will make it easier to review line-ball goal and behind decisions.
The glasses have been funded by Fox Sports and were used by umpires in cricket’s recent Big Bash series to review LBW and run-out decisions.
Fox Sports chief Rod Law said the glasses were ready to use in football.
"We can turn it around quickly enough," Law told the Herald Sun.
AFL umpires director Jeff Gieschen also said the glasses could improve the video review scenario.
"Long term, if the scoring review system comes in, it would be a wonderful resource to have to cut to that vision ... particularly those shots along the line," Gieschen said.
"Did the ball cross the line? Was it touched at ground level? Did the ball skim the post? Eventually if the scoring review system comes in and this is available, it would certainly assist us a lot in those three scenarios."
Gieschen was not certain if the glasses would be used in the premiership season.
"What I do know is we are up for any initiative which can improve the level of accuracy of what we do or can improve the coaching of our umpires," Gieschen said.
"If the laws of the game committee thought this was a really good initiative, we would certainly embrace it, but it wouldn't be my decision, it would be the laws of the game committee."