Sydney defender Dane Rampe enjoys having banter with umpires as long as it doesn’t cross the line
A BIT of sledging isn’t a bad thing, at least that’s the view of Sydney’s Dane Rampe who delivered one of the calls of the season when stitched up an umpire with a crack about Alastair Clarkson’s coffee catch-up up with CEO Gillon McLachlan.
Sydney
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A LITTLE bit of sledging isn’t such a bad thing.
That’s the view of Dane Rampe who produced one of the sledges of the year earlier in the season when he brought Alastair Clarkson and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan into a discussion about a free kick.
He says players should be able to have a free exchange with umpires as long as they don’t step over the line.
Umpire microphones are picking up more and more of the dialogue between players and umpires, which are being broadcast on the TV coverage.
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Hawthorn’s Ben Stratton was the latest to be eavesdropped on when he called Giants forward Harry Himmelberg’s stumble a “Rancy” in reference to Richmond defender Alex Rance staging for free kicks.
Rampe says the repartee between umpires and players helps their relationship.
“I think it’s a good idea to have some banter with the umpires,” Rampe said.
“It’s in no way disrespecting the umpires, especially when you give away a free kick in front of goals. It’s your way of lightening the mood and taking the pressure off and saying it’s not too serious down there.”
In the Round 11 match against Carlton at the SCG umpire Nick Foot paid a free kick against Rampe to Charlie Curnow and the Swans defender voiced his disapproval of the decision with a barb about Clarkson.
The Hawthorn coach had an infamous catch up for coffee with McLachan following his negative comments about the Swans defensive tactics.
“That is a ridiculous call,” Rampe said at the time.
“Clarko would be happy with that. Did you have a coffee with him too?”
Clarkson recently said it was the best sledge he’s heard in a couple of years and got into the spirit of things at the Freeze MND slide when he wore a Swans training kit along with a horse’s head in a nod to his mate John Longmire.
Rampe has gone a bit quiet since his well-timed barb but is keen to work on his repertoire should the opportunity arise.
He said players just need to use a bit of common sense.
“I think we all know where the line is and it shouldn’t be anything personal,” Rampe said.
“It’s a good bit of fun and hopefully it adds to the experience out there for the players.”
Rampe believes you have to be a bit cautious when it comes to naming players who aren’t in the match you are competing in like the Stratton-Rance scenario.
“Personally I’d stay away from it (naming other players),” Rampe said.
“You can get caught up in the moment and tread a very fine line. If someone is going to throw it out there then I guess you have to be careful. It just depends on the circumstance.”
The All-Australian defender could be in for a rematch against Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield on Thursday night at the SCG. He will be looking for redemption after Dangerfield booted four on him in last year’s semi-final at the MCG.
“Danger is strong in the air, one on one and on the lead,” Rampe said.
“It’s a tough ask and he definitely got the better of me in the semi-final last year. But in saying that I love playing on the best players as do the rest of the backline. I’m licking my lips at that opportunity.”
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