AFL 2022: Eric Hipwood fined but free to play after tribunal delivers verdict on ‘complicated’ umpire case

The AFL tribunal has delivered its verdict on Eric Hipwood’s complicated case after he was cited for shoving his opponent into an umpire.

Eric Hipwood has avoided a suspension for pushing his opponent into an umpire. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood has avoided suspension and instead been fined for pushing his opponent into an umpire.

After a lengthy tribunal hearing, Hipwood was found guilty of careless conduct but despite the AFL’s urging for a ban, the tribunal slapped him with a $2500 fine.

Hipwood had been sent directly to the tribunal by match review officer Michael Christian over the incident during the third quarter of Thursday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.

The Lions forward pushed his opponent Ryan Gardner into field umpire Jacob Mollison with both crashing to the turf which then allowed Hipwood to run free into Brisbane’s forward line where he took a mark and kicked a goal.

Eric Hipwood has avoided a suspension for pushing his opponent into an umpire. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson described the case as “complicated” when he handed down the verdict which he’d spent more than 30 minutes working out with his counterparts David Neitz and Shane Wakelin.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Hipwood told the tribunal he didn’t see umpire Mollison until Gardner was falling into him.

“I did not see the umpire, I remember it quite clearly. I didn’t see the umpire until the collision happened,” Hipwood said.

“I braced for contact, he initiated contact and I pushed him away. I didn’t see the umpire until Gardner was falling, that is how I recall it.”

Eric Hipwood and Ryan Gardner were involved in the incident. Picture: Getty Images

Hipwood said he would never deliberately push or put an umpire at risk.

“I would never do that in any sport at all,” he said.

AFL counsel Nick Pane QC questioned how Hipwood didn’t see the umpire before the collision and urged that his actions be deemed intentional.

He said a two-week suspension would be appropriate because of the “real potential” for serious injury to the umpire.

Pane then hedged his bets by also calling for a one-week suspension if the tribunal saw the grading of the incident as careless contact, claiming a financial penalty was inadequate given the level of carelessness and level of force in the incident.

Earlier Richmond decided not to fight defender Nick Vlastuin’s one-match suspension for a stomach punch to West Coast’s Connor West during Sunday’s game.

Umpire Jacob Mollison was knocked to the ground in the incident. Picture: Michael Klein

Originally published as AFL 2022: Eric Hipwood fined but free to play after tribunal delivers verdict on ‘complicated’ umpire case