AFL: Swans star Nick Blakey has revealed he wasn't concerned about the playing surface at the SCG, during his side's clash against the Dogs.
Essendon coach Brad Scott wants the AFL to conduct investigations into the cause of each umpire contact case after enforcing a crackdown on repeat offenders. The AFL Players Association also called for the entire MRO and Tribunal system to be reviewed declaring it “wasn’t working” after the league introduced the prospect of suspension for players should they be found to have carelessly made contact with an umpire on four occasions.
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play.IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Scott understands the umpires’ view, saying the AFL’s “hand was forced” but wants to see the cause of the contact ruled correctly. “It seems to be one of those things where their hand was forced, we don’t often think about workplace health and safety, especially on field,” he said. “There’s a tribunal, MRO to deal with players, but clearly the umpires in particular feel their safety is being compromised. “I just hope there’s a deep dive going into umpire positioning. There’s four umpires on the ground, all of those things. “Accidental umpire contact results in a fine or a suspension, I’d be very interested in the Players’ Association’s view on this because there’s a lot of fines getting out of control. “I understand the reasoning for it, the AFL has had their hand forced on this one, but I think everyone has to take responsibility on this, not just the players.”Interim AFLPA boss, Ben Smith said deciding to increase the penalties without consultation was “disappointing” and called for a forum to discuss such issues “holistically with the AFL”. “It’s evident to the AFLPA and players that the current MRO and Tribunal system is not working and needs to be reviewed and revised, and we look forward to being a part of that process,” he said. Scott says the best midfielders have started setting up alongside the umpires’ lane out of centre bounces and that puts everyone “in a vulnerable position”.“The ball-ups are the problem, incidental umpire contact around the ground doesn’t happen very often,” he said. “ … the AFL have made it clear to us that if you set up behind the umpire when they’re backing out and there’s contact, then you’re liable. Essendon coach Brad Scott says the fines issued to players are getting ‘out of control’. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images“That’s a pretty simple one for the players. What has been a trend is a lot of players, particularly the stars of the competition, setting up there because you have to man them up. “That puts you in a vulnerable position of making contact with an umpire. We’re actually going to work on it at training today just to make sure we don’t put ourselves in that position.” Scott says ruling on free kicks and fines for umpire contact is “retrospective” and needs to be assessed through vision.“I don’t think any player likes money coming out their pocket, but I think they do have a view that they feel when they’re fined it’s not a penalty,” he said. “Put umpire contact to one side, any MRO finding where a player gets fined, it’s reported as if they’ve been cleared – the players don’t feel like they’ve been cleared.”
Michael Willson Australia And New Zealand Victoria Tyler Lewis Ball Ups Accidental Umpire Contact Umpires Lane Newswire-Sport Melbourne Rhylee West Oceania St Kilda Saints Centre Bounces Australian Football League Umpire Positioning Brad Scott Daniel Carson Western Bulldogs Umpire Contact Incidental Umpire Contact Fines Getting Australia Vulnerable Position
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