Suns star at risk as AFL cracks down on umpire contact
Roger Vaughan |
Gold Coast star Matt Rowell is among several players at immediate risk of suspension as the AFL cracks down on umpire contact.
Starting on Thursday night, a player charged with careless umpire contact for a fourth time or more over the last two seasons can be referred directly to the Tribunal and faces possibly suspension.
Rowell has had three umpire contact fines this season alone, meaning a fourth would trigger the AFL crackdown.
St Kilda pair Jackson Macrae and Hunter Clark and Melbourne’s Kozi Pickett are other players at risk of being sent to the Tribunal if they keep being cited for the offence.
This season there have been 63 careless contact fines, with 56 last year and only 20 in 2023.
“We are seeing far too many instances of avoidable umpire contact, and since writing to clubs on this issue in February and again in April we have not seen a change in behaviour, and in fact seen an increase in umpire contact,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said in a statement.
“We have an obligation to provide the best working environment for everyone, including the umpires, and there have been too many instances of avoidable umpire contact.”
The AFL said a fourth careless contact in a two-season would “likely” mean a direct referral to the Tribunal.
If that happens, “the AFL may then seek from the Tribunal an alternative sanction for the offence, which may include an increased fine and/or where applicable, a suspension at the Tribunal’s absolute discretion.”
Also, if a player is fined twice or more for careless contact over a two-year period, then his club will be fined $5000, exempt from the soft cap.
AAP
