Suns coach Damien Hardwick explodes at AFL’s umpire contact change

Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has taken aim at the AFL and called out a glaring issue in the wake of an immediate change.

Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick has taken aim at the AFL in the wake of a league-wide change to umpire contact.

Earlier this week the AFL announced that players hit with a fourth or subsequent careless umpire contact charge within the past two seasons will likely be sent straight to the tribunal.

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The change puts star Suns midfielder Matt Rowell in line for a ban if he is to be penalised again this season.

Hardwick delivered a fiery and passionate rant in the direction of the league’s head office as he called out a double standard in the change.

“If it leads to a suspension, look out from our point of view,” the three-time premiership coach said.

“I know we’re the Gold Coast Suns, and don’t get me wrong, Matt Rowell is a superstar, but if this was spoken about with Nick Daicos, Collingwood would tear the place down.

“Let’s sit there and understand what we’re talking about here.

“We can make a change about umpire adjudication, but we’ve been calling out for change to the tribunal for a period of time. Why can we, with the swipe of a pen, change one but not the other?

“End of rant”.

Damien Hardwick unloads in presser after the AFL changed the rules around umpire contact.

Hardwick joined the chorus of senior coaches - including Brad Scott and Ross Lyon - to point out that majority of the incidents come from the centre bounce.

The three-time flag-winning coach had a unique suggestion for the second half of the season as an alternative solution.

“What can you tell me about the centre bounce of the ball? It goes anywhere, so it’s really really hard for the players ... if the ball bounces sideways, they’re going to move,” he said.

“Have the AFL spoken to the AFL Commission and asked, ‘can we, for the remainder of the year, take away the centre bounce and throw it up and see if there’s any significant change in the data?’.

Matt Rowell could find himself on the sidelines if he transgresses once more. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

“Some of those ones against Rowelly, what he’s getting fined for, are quite laughable, to be perfectly honest.

“We understand the health and safety of the umpires is important, but I think we can look at speaking to the Commission about getting rid of the bounce and throwing it up.”

Outside of Rowell, St Kilda’s Jack Macrae (four) and Carlton’s Adam Cerra (three) are other top line stars now facing suspension if they transgress again this campaign.

There have been 63 charges laid for careless umpire contact so far in 2025 following 56 charges in total in 2024 and 20 in 2023.

Originally published as Suns coach Damien Hardwick explodes at AFL’s umpire contact change