Alastair Clarkson avoids fine for umpire comments, but not wrath of Tom Papley
Tom Papley has hit back at Alastair Clarkson over the Hawthorn mentor’s assertion the Swan had “milked” free kicks, as the AFL made its call on the master coach’s umpire bashing.
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Sydney Swans star Tom Papley claims he’s never “milked” for a free-kick in his career and says it stung to have his integrity called into question by the AFL’s leading coach.
Alastair Clarkson has since clarified by saying he could have chosen his words better than to label Papley a “milker”, but the Hawthorn coach didn’t necessarily apologise for the accusation itself that The Coleman Medal leader plays for free kicks “as good as anyone”.
Papley says he was bemused and disappointed by the post-match attack on his character which he insists has never been part of his make-up as a footballer.
“No. I don’t think anyone does (like that being said about you),” Papley told News Corp.
“But I’ll stick with facts. I think it’s not fact. Clarko has said it, and it’s not true.
“I don’t know what Clarko was on about. I didn’t dive. He got me from behind and that was that. I didn’t dive.
“I think enough has been said and I’ll move on from it.
“Clarko was obviously a bit frustrated and may have said the wrong thing but it’s what it’s.”
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Asked if he has ever milked for a free before, Papley said if that was the case, he wasn’t very good at it.
“No, not that I know of,” he said.
“I’d like to get a few more free kicks if I was milking but I don’t get that many free kicks.”
It’s been a rough week for Clarkson, but he had some good news Tuesday when he avoided a fine for his comments on umpires as the AFL took into account the heightened emotions of continuing footy through the COVID-19 era.
Clarkson said after the loss to Sydney that it felt like the Hawks were playing against an extra player after a free-kick count that went against Hawthorn.
But, while the AFL had been suggesting a please-explain was on its way to Clarkson, football boss Steve Hocking wrote to clubs Tuesday afternoon.
He told them that after comments made by several coaches made in recent weeks the AFL wanted to remind them about their obligations to the game about comments on umpiring.
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Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley also made known his displeasure about the umpiring in the loss to St Kilda but he was more subtle in his criticism.
“The comments made in recent weeks are against the spirit of the game and are not examples of the conduct required by leaders within the AFL,” the AFL said in a statement.
“The message today is to be expressive, have an opinion, and provide insight for fans, but to do so in a manner that shows a level of respect to all involved.
“While the AFL appreciates the enormous sacrifices the umpires, players, coaches and officials are making to keep the season going and ensuring the future security of the competition, it acknowledges everyone within the game has a responsibility to demonstrate respect and sportsmanship towards each other.
“The AFL and its Clubs’ obligation to fans and participants of all ages is to establish and maintain the standards for the code. Australian Football has a unique leadership role in the community, and with that role comes responsibility.
Clarkson has four priors including a 2017 fine of $5000, with $15,000 suspended after he said “I am not able to comment on disgraceful umpiring” in a game.
After that outburst he publicly apologised and made contact with then-umpires boss Peter Schwab to speak to him about his regret at hte comments.
In 2006 Clarkson was handed a suspended $5000 fine for approaching umpires Scott McLaren and Kieron Nicholls on a flight back from Perth.
In 2008 he was fined $5000 after attacking umpire Justin Schmitt, who wore no. 17 on his shirt in a loss to Geelong.
“He’s a good player for the Cats that No. 17, wasn’t he? He’s a ripper,” Clarkson said.
In 2012 he received a four-week suspension from the South Metro Junior Football League after he swore in the direction of an umpire’s adviser during his son’s football match.
CLARKO’S PAPLEY SLIP UP
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has admitted he slipped-up when he clipped Swan Tom Papley for “milking” free kicks on Saturday.
The Hawks’ premiership mastermind is expected to be hit with a please explain from the AFL today for his controversial comments about Papley’s tactics and the free-kick count on the back of a fourth-straight defeat.
Clarkson has been in hot water before for umpire abuse at AFL and community level and will be asked for his response before the AFL considers a potential penalty.
Clarkson said in his post-match press conference that Sydney‘s Papley regularly milked free kicks after securing a double goal when James Frawley bowled him over while he taunted teammate Tom Mitchell.
Clarkson said on Monday night he was yet to hear from the AFL, but admitted he should have been more careful in the heat of the moment.
“I don’t think I was in any way being disrespectful to the umpires at all, or Tom Papley,” Clarkson said.
“In perhaps in the disappointment of a key moment in the game, I spoke about Tom milking a free kick.
“I should have used different terminology, really, because every player has done that in a game and it was the only way I could actually win a free kick (during his playing career).
“I should choose my words more wisely in the future, but I just got caught up in how quickly after the game it was.
“Technically, it was a free kick, but it is something we have got to try to avoid getting ourselves implicated in.”
The Hawks will attempt to snap their four-game losing streak against an improved Carlton at Perth Stadium on Friday night.
The ageing Hawks have blooded more young talent in recent weeks but have brushed aside calls to begin a full-on rebuild through the draft.
Clarkson said the club was working hard to fix their game and plan for the future.
“We have had our time in the sun and we are trying to work out how we can have our time in the sun again,” he said on Fox Footy.
“That is particularly tough at the present time.
“We came on the road to Sydney and now to Perth and we left Melbourne 3-1 and now find ourselves 3-5 and playing really ordinary footy.
“But there is a part of me that will go to my grave really proud of the fact that I put faith in a group of guys who have carried us so far and been do decorated for this footy club.
“If I am guilty of holding on to those guys too long then I will go to my grave really happy with that.
“They are a proud group of players and I will back them to the hilt.”
Clarkson made a tough call to send former captain Jarryd Roughead to the VFL for the bulk of last season to give opportunity to younger players, while Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge were all moved on to other clubs.
Clarkson has four umpire misdemeanour priors including a 2017 fine of $5000, with $15,000 suspended after he said “I am not able to comment on disgraceful umpiring” in a game.
After that outburst he publicly apologised and made contact with then-umpires boss Peter Schwab to speak to him about his regret at the comments.
In 2006 Clarkson was handed a suspended $5000 fine for approaching umpires Scott McLaren and Kieron Nicholls on a flight back from Perth.
In 2008 he was fined $5000 after attacking umpire Justin Schmitt, who wore no. 17 on his shirt in a loss to Geelong.
“He’s a good player for the Cats that No. 17, wasn’t he? He’s a ripper,” Clarkson said.
In 2012 he received a four-week suspension from the South Metro Junior Football League after he swore in the direction of an umpire’s adviser during his son’s football match.
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VENTING FRUSTRATIONS
Alastair Clarkson left coaching counterpart John Longmire in disbelief after taking aim at Sydney star Tom Papley.
The small forward ran rampant with four goals in their unlikely win over Hawthorn, but Clarkson vented his frustrations about his controversial double-goal in the third term.
Papley got in the face of former Swan Tom Mitchell after slotting a goal out the back of a stoppage, sucking in James Frawley who bumped him to ground with the umpire awarding the cheeky Swan with a free kick in front of goal.
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That's two in the space of about twenty seconds for Tom Papley as things get heated at the SCG 🚒 pic.twitter.com/J4Gdga981l
— AFL (@AFL) July 25, 2020
Clarkson claimed Papley was ‘milking’ a free kick and said this was nothing new for the Swans goalsneak.
“He milks free kicks as good as anyone in the competition, and he did on this occasion again,” Clarkson told reporters.
Longmire was left in disbelief when informed of his comments post-game, shaking his head in disgust and saying he should refrain from commenting on opposition players.
After a long pause, the Swans coach gave a particularly measured response.
“Don’t talk about opposition players and clubs,” Longmire said.
“I’m not here to comment on that (umpire) and I don’t think I’ll be commenting on opposition players.”
Longmire had plenty of praise for Papley, who scored four goals against the Hawks and continues to lead the Coleman Medal.
“He’s smart, he’s a competitor, he’s a good player,” Longmire said.
“He’s just got that personality, we encourage that, if you’ve got that natural instinct to compete and energy, it does rub off on players.”
The coach said he was impressed with what his young and inexperienced men pulled off in drizzly and tight conditions at the SCG.
Hawthorn brought nine 150+ game players — the Swans had just two.
That last bit, there was younger blokes playing well, certainly Ollie Florent’s last period, (James) Rowbottom,”
“It’s hard to train pressure games, pressure situations, against experienced teams and sometimes you live it and you hope that we get it right, and they were able to hang in there.”
Longmire said youngster Elijah Taylor, who scored his first AFL goal on Saturday, is on track to making a real impact.
“He’s close, he’s still learning, but he’s got some talent, he’s learning on the job as well, seeming to level against experienced defence, they’ve got some real experience in their backline … playing on good players, he’ll pick up a lot from it” Longmire said.
The coach also had plenty of praise for defender Dane Rampe, who fought off a Hawks comeback nursing what looked to be a forearm injury.
Sydney have been depleted by injuries all year — 10 players currently sit on the injury list — so Longmire is desperately hoping that Rampe’s prognosis is not serious.
“Rampe was sensational, so was Luke Parker,” Longmire said.
“I don’t know (about the nature or extent of Rampe’s injury), but he played really well. He’s tough. He’s just a good player. He competes hard and kept going.”
HAWKS STOOP TO NEW LOW AS SWANS CLAIM THRILLER
-Jocelyn Airth
Hawthorn’s premiership stars were left stunned by a young and injury-ravaged Sydney Swans side that edged them 60-53 on Saturday afternoon.
Alastair Clarkson’s side simply failed to defuse the bomb that is Tom Papley, who booted four goals to pump up his struggling side at the SCG.
The Coleman Medal leader has now kicked a goal in 26 consecutive AFL games.
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Despite his failed trade request to Carlton, Papley is playing like he wants to be at the Swans.
Defender Dane Rampe notched 25 disposals and courageously shut down any chance of a fourth term Hawks comeback, while appearing to carry an injury to his arm.
Hawthorn have now conceded their fourth consecutive win and coach Clarkson will be under pressure to make serious changes to his side.
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CHANGE OF GUARD
Keep losing, and there’ll be a change of guard – that’s the warning Hawks coach Clarkson issued to his premiership stars last week.
The words appeared to resonate, at first, as Hawthorn’s senior guard started strong. Jack Gunston celebrated his 200th game with a goal and veteran Shaun Burgoyne nailed a beautiful high snap.
Hawthorn midfielders Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara and Liam Shields took things into their own hands, each notching six-pointers.
But the Hawks simply could not diffuse the bomb that is Papley and dropped their intensity in the third term.
If Clarkson keeps to his word, the Hawks coach must seriously consider a change of guard.
PAPLEY THE ANTAGONISER
Just when the Swans needed a boost, Papley injected himself into the game.
The small forward booted a goal in the second term and immediately dished it out to Hawks star Tom Mitchell.
Push and shove ensued, and Papley was gifted with a free kick after James Frawley whacked him in the back.
Hawthorn players were reeling, as Sydney ruckman Callum Sinclair appeared to get away with a similar push on Mitchell.
Papley quickly slotted his second goal to bring the Swans within two points of the Hawks.
That's two in the space of about twenty seconds for Tom Papley as things get heated at the SCG 🚒 pic.twitter.com/J4Gdga981l
— AFL (@AFL) July 25, 2020
SWANS LOOKING UP
Even in the pouring rain, Sydney fans were treated to glimpses into the exciting future at Moore Park.
Sydney’s premiership forward Sam Reid returned from injury with a bang, snapping the first goal of the match.
Young Elijah Taylor – wearing Adam Goodes’ famous no. 37 guernsey – kicked his first AFL goal, and it was one for the highlight reel.
The Swans also blooded their fourth debutant in three weeks, as defender Matthew Ling ran out for the first time since he was drafted by the club in 2017.
NSW will not host another AFL game for at least one month, as all remaining clubs travel to hubs outside the state.
Hawthorn will head to Perth to take on Carlton and Sydney fly to Queensland to play St Kilda.
Elijah Taylor kicks his first AFL goal in the famous #37 💪 #ColesGoals | #AFLSwansHawks pic.twitter.com/6bhMgeFKQ8
— AFL (@AFL) July 25, 2020
SCOREBOARD
SYDNEY 2.1 5.1 8.2 9.6 (60)
HAWTHORN 3.3 5.3 6.6 7.11 (53)
GOALS
Sydney: Papley 4, Reid, Parker, Taylor, McCartin, Blakey
Hawthorn: O’Meara, Shiels, Gunston, Wingard, Burgoyne, Mitchell, Sicily
BEST
Swans: Callum Mills, Jake Lloyd, Luke Parker, Tom Papley, Dane Rampe
Hawks: Jaeger O’Meara, James Sicily, Liam Shiels, Tom Mitchell, Chad Wingard
VOTES
3- Tom Papley
2- Dane Rampe
1- Jaeger O’Meara