Careless contact with an AFL umpire could have huge ramifications for some of the game’s best
Accidental contact with an AFL umpire could soon cost players their chances at the Brownlow Medal after the AFL brought in severe sanctions for repeat offenders.
AFL
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An increase in AFL players making contact with umpires has forced the league to act and repeat offenders will now be sent directly to the tribunal with suspensions among potential penalties.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon on Tuesday informed clubs that further sanctions would come into force after not seeing the required “change in behaviour” across the year after a memo was sent to all clubs earlier this season.
There have already been 63 charges so far this season, which is a spike from 56 in 2024 and just 20 in 2023.
Gold Coast star Matt Rowell is among those repeatedly fined, having copped three sanctions this season alone, putting him on a knife-edge heading towards the Suns possible maiden finals appearance.
Under the move which will come in to force from this weekend’s games, when a player is found guilty for the fourth or subsequent offence for careless contact with an umpire across a two-year period, they will now likely face the tribunal.
A fine as hefty as $5,000 will be issued to the club after a player reaches two offences.
Dillon said the behaviour had grown worse since the AFL sent a memo to clubs earlier this year.
“We are seeing far too many instances of avoidable umpire contact, and since writing to clubs on this issue in February and again in April we have not seen a change in behaviour, and in fact seen an increase in umpire contact,” said Mr Dillon.
“We have an obligation to provide the best working environment for everyone, including the umpires, and there have been too many instances of avoidable umpire contact.”
AFL umpires have gone out to a selection of clubs in recent weeks to try and educate players on how they can avoid colliding with the officiators.
The tightened sanction could be as significant as ruling a player out of the Brownlow Medal, as the centre bounce is the most common place for collision between players and umpires.
Originally published as Careless contact with an AFL umpire could have huge ramifications for some of the game’s best
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