RETROSPECTIVE MAN

What is up with Tim Lane? That he draws a parallel between the overturned Test match in 2006 and the overturned AFL match in 2006 is fair enough, comparisons are grist to the jouralistic mill. (Lists, too.) That he arrives at his condescending-whitey conclusion based on an imaginary "show of hands" which would show "strong support" for the AFL overturning the result of the St Kilda versus Fremantle match is stepping up to the line in the sand and drawing a very long bow.

Rules just made to be broken?

Here are two cases in which sports administrations clearly broke their own rules, yet the public response in each was different. It's probable this is largely an expression of the perception of administrative motive.

Because the AFL was seeking to arbitrate a fair outcome, its abuse of its own rules was regarded as not only excusable, but justified. The ICC, on the other hand, was seen to be pandering to a powerful lobby group and its abuse of its laws is regarded with contempt.

But perhaps we are inclined to be more understanding of crass pragmatism when it occurs in our own backyard than we are when a cricket team from the subcontinent is involved.