AUSTRALIAN rules is the best game on earth but there's one big, ugly problem.

The way we treat umpires is a national disgrace.

Passions run high in sport and that's what makes it such an all-consuming thing for spectators and fans across the world.

Australian rules, being the high-octane, end-to-end spectacle that it is, is full of emotion and romance. That's what we love about it.

But somewhere along the line in the game's 160-year history, it became commonplace to treat umpires like second-class citizens. Some (and I emphasise, some) fans would have you believe the reason their team lost - regardless of margin - was the umpires' fault.

Umpires apparently favour certain teams, hate others, dislike certain players, and are paid to help other outfits over the line.

What drivel.

Sometimes, teams are just better than others. That's not to say umpires are perfect - because they aren't - but the vitriol they cop from spectators at both a community and elite level is equal or superior to that of players.

The only difference is, umpires don't get the accolades of being a hero when things go right.

Instead, it's almost a common silence among fans with most accepting the less they're noticed, the better job they've done.

Professional umpires, particularly those employed to officiate at AFL level, do not favour teams and do not plot the downfall of others.

But that isn't good enough for some. We, as a sporting society, need to change the way we think of and speak to umpires.

Where does this disrespect stem from?

Australian rules is an evolving game and there are constant rule changes as the powers at be work to make the game as free-flowing and entertaining as possible for the spectator.

There have been 27 changes to rules at the elite level, some of which filter down to country footy, since 2011.

That's most likely more than any other professional sport on earth.

Fans fail to recognise how difficult this would be. When you compare Australian rules' relationship with umpires to other codes and sports, the situation becomes more embarrassing.

In rugby union, referees are called sir. It's a tradition stretching back to the 19^th century when the game was played in the United Kingdom. In netball, a sport intrinsically linked to country footy, umpires aren't commonly dubbed 'maggots'.

Soccer, meanwhile, is the exception. Round-ball fans have been known to research which team their referee is alleged to support and often make remarks about which side has "paid" the person with the whistle to favour the opposing side.

The introduction of Video Assisted Referee has been a public relations disaster, too, and has only riled fans more.

Umpires don't enter the discipline for praise or accolades. But why would anybody want to take up the gig when supporters are hurling abuse at them and blaming them for every problem the world has ever seen? In an era where so much is made of mental health, people need to be mindful that our umps are people as well and deserve to be treated as such.

It's time to look at our game's culture, have hard discussions and examine how we can get better. It's even more prudent we do so now so the next generation of umpires aren't discouraged from taking up the game.

We need independent umpires at community level and youngsters need incentives to take it up so we can adequately address the shortage sweeping the south-west and entirety of Victoria at present.

The alternative long-term is that club umpires officiate all games of community footy and that could open a can of worms. We want less pressure on volunteers and an independent umpiring body is the best option going forward. We need ours to be strong.

Let's start by implementing a cultural shift. Let's stop treating umpires like they're the source of all the world's problems and just give them the respect any human being deserves.

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