Salisbury North loses six premiership points after player’s four-game ban for umpire abuse
A NORTHERN suburbs football club has been docked premiership points for the second time in two years after a player’s ban for umpire abuse triggered suspended sanctions for past offences.
A NORTHERN suburbs football club has lost premiership points for the second time in two years after a player’s ban for umpire abuse triggered suspended sanctions for past offences.
The Adelaide Football League last week banned Salisbury North player James Hay for four games for using threatening language towards an umpire in a division one reserves home match against Tea Tree Gully on June 3.
League chief executive John Kernahan said the governing body deducted six points — the equivalent of three wins — from Salisbury North’s two senior teams because the club was on notice for poor behaviour.
In 2013, the league imposed strict conditions on the club, including suspending the loss of future premiership points, after Salisbury North players earned bans totalling 35 matches that year.
The club was docked eight premiership points in 2015 when Salisbury North player Adam Watson received a 10-match ban for striking and umpire abuse.
“This isn’t a game of rock, paper, scissors to see who wins this argument,” Kernahan said.
“No club should test our resolve to have the league positioned as a leading example of best practice.
“We simply don’t need or want clubs who aren’t equipped to come on the journey to make footy more welcoming for all.
“But we’re certainly willing to assist those very few who are a little slower on the uptake to come with us, whether that be through collaboration or punitive measures
“We continue to propagate an ethos that participation is a key pillar to our charter, but it is not unconditional.”
A Salisbury North player or official has been suspended for an offence against an umpire in each of the past five years.
Salisbury North general manager Brenton Franks said the club would cop the latest punishment “on the chin”.
But he said the club was disappointed it's A grade was being penalised despite the team not having any players reported this year.
“It happened in the B grade but the sanctions are through the A and B grade, which we feel is a bit stiff,” Franks said.
“If we could get the sanctions for each grade, that’d be fantastic.
“Then at least the A grade would know if they get reported, it’s their own fault.”
Salisbury North now sits on the bottom of the ladder on -2 points — two fewer than winless St Peter’s Old Collegians — despite having a 2-6 record.
The clubs face off at Caterer Oval this Saturday.