AFL Round 5 Hawthorn v Geelong: Umpiring furore mars Hawks’ upset win on Easter Monday

The MRO has issued his ruling on Tom Hawkins’ potential Academy Award nomination that sparked umpire fury in the Cats’ clash with the Hawks.

The Tomahawk has escaped without a fine for his bog dive against the Hawks.

Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins has dodged a staging fine after a defence that opponent Sam Frost had pushed him out of a marking contest in a show of strength.

In a shock decision given Hawkins’ clear decision to exaggerate minor contact by throwing himself forward and sideways, the league decided against imposing a $1000 fine on the Cats star.

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It was expected Hawkins would be fined and join Carlton’s Harry McKay, who also exaggerated minor contact from Gold Coast’s Mabior Chol but threw himself back to accentuate the collision.

Instead the AFL match review stated: “It was the view of the MRO that Hawkins exaggerated the contact but that his actions did not constitute a reportable offence”.

The decision to exonerate Hawkins will cause further confusion on a day when the AFL admitted it had not consistently applied its crackdown on umpire abuse.

Hawkins threw himself forward in a marking contest and immediately received a free kick.

Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell put his arms up as he spoke to an umpire about the free kick and Hawkins was marched back to the goal line after receiving the 50m penalty as a result.

The Tomahawk has escaped without a fine for his bog dive against the Hawks.

Carlton’s Lachie O’Brien was mentioned in the MRO report but did not receive a fine for staging after throwing his head back, while Richmond captain Toby Nankervis dodged any mention despite going down easily this weekend after being hit in the chest by Adelaide’s Taylor Walker.

It comes as Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge launched a defence of small forward Cody Weightman, who has quickly drawn a reputation as a player prepared to exaggerate contact for free kicks.

Weightman received 25 free kicks in 16 AFL games last year and already has six in five games this year.

North Melbourne dual premiership star David King said on Tuesday there was little disincentive for players not to stage given the paltry fines.

“I’ve had enough – I’ve had enough of players staging, faking, diving, whatever you want to call it,” King said on SEN.

“We’re not savage enough, are we? I think the $1000 fine is merely a starting point. I think it should be elevated if the free kick that you’ve clearly acted for and conned the umpire becomes a goal.

“It’s $1000 for staging, but if that results in a goal, it goes from $1000 to $2500 and if you want to keep doing it, you’ll keep racking up these bills.

“We’re having teams kick 12-13 goals a game – if two or three of them involve staging, it’s a fairly significant percentage of our scoreboard.”

Hero to villain? Hawkins was booed every time he went near the ball following his exaggerated movement which saw him awarded a dubious free kick.

Hawkins said after the Frost free kick he had been pushed out of the contest and caught at the wrong time as he attempted to mark.

“I think it was clear to see. I was outnumbered and I jumped and Frost was strong himself and it got me at a poor time. So I know it’s going to be really controversial. Same thing last week, these decisions are really hard for an umpire to make in the split second,” he said.

“I have been on the end of two that have been favourable (despite pushing Harris Andrews in round 4) but it’s swings and roundabouts that will come back the other way. Tough game to judge.”

Umpire furore mars Easter Monday clash

The AFL has been called on to immediately address an umpiring “crisis” after yet another controversial 50m penalty was awarded on Easter Monday against Hawthorn players holding their arms out to dispute a decision.

Hawks Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston were penalised in the third quarter of the MCG clash when they appeared to lift their hands towards the big screen while watching a replay of a marking contest that resulted in a dubious Tom Hawkins free kick.

“You both looked at the screen (for the replay),” the umpire explained to the Hawthorn pair when awarding the 50m to Hawkins.

“And then you had your arms out. It’s umpire respect, OK?”.

The Hawks were able to recover from the setback to record a stirring 12-point victory over arch rival Geelong.

But former Melbourne skipper Garry Lyon was among a chorus of past players who questioned the AFL’s over-reaction to a crack down on umpire abuse.

“This is a crisis that Brad Scott has got to sort out and he has to sort it out (on Tuesday) morning, otherwise it’s a disgrace what we’ve seen over the weekend,” Lyon said on Fox Footy.

“There is a crisis. It’s embarrassing.”

Geelong spearhead Hawkins could also come under scrutiny from the Match Review Officer for his part in the controversial moment, appearing to exaggerate a slight nudge by leaping forward during the marking contest.

He kicked the goal after the 50m penalty was awarded.

Tom Mitchell talks to field umpire Hayden Gavine after a controversial 50m penalty was awarded. Picture: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hawkins said he knew the free kick would come under scrutiny but maintained that it was warranted and amplified by timing in his jump for the ball.

“It was clear to see,” he told 7 News.

“I was outnumbered around the footy. I jumped, and obviously (Sam) Frost is strong himself and got me at a poor time.

“I know it’s going to be really controversial. These decisions are really hard for an umpire to make split-second.

“I’ve been on the end of two that have been favourable, but I’m sure it’s swings and roundabouts and it’ll come back the other way.”

Hawthorn defender James Sicily admitted he’s “probably not” clear on what was permitted for players interacting with umpires but said he believed there had to be some emotion allowed.

“I feel like if it’s not demonstrative … sometimes it’s just a reflex,” he said on Fox Footy after the game.

“Because it’s been that way for so long.

“But I suppose the rule is there to implement what they’re trying to implement and we’ve got to try and respect it as much as possible.

“But it definitely is hard when the games get as tight as they do and emotions are high.”

Sicily said the talk of tougher implementation in the pre-season that has been followed what has been described as a “slippage” has resulted in confusion for players.

“To be honest, I’m probably not (clear on what’s allowed),” he laughed.

“I’m not clear on it. I just try and keep my hands to myself and just stand there. I feel like that’s the best way to go about it.”

The AFL was adamant players putting their arms up in protest against umpiring decisions would be penalised but conceded some “slippage” in policing the incidents in recent weeks.

A weekend of controversy started with Brisbane defender Harris Andrews conceding a 50m penalty for questioning a free kick against Collingwood’s Darcy Moore.

An AFL spokesperson told the Herald Sun on Friday night that players would continue to be penalised for putting their arms up in dissent.

The AFL believes players have responded well to the changes but needed to be aware they could not put their arms up in protest.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas lashed the moment at the MCG on Monday as “disgraceful”.

“Firstly, a wrong (free kick) as Hawk fakes massively,” he tweeted.

“Then Gunston and Mitchell standing in middle of ground talking to ump, see replay on screen and put their arms up … 50m (penalty).

“I thought arms up lately was now acceptable?? Pick & choose. This will end in tears in a very big game.”

Ex-Demons skipper Brad Green was adamant it was not abuse.

“Umpires will never be able to understand frustration/emotion,” he wrote.

“Governing body aren’t helping them.”

Lyon later lashed the current state of the rule on Fox Footy’s On The Couch, saying “no one really knows what is going on in terms of umpire dissension”.

“Brad needs to talk and speak really strongly (on Tuesday) … and say if this is it, then this is it,” he said on Fox Footy.

“It’s embarrassing that our professional competition is run like this.

“I don’t blame the players one bit.”

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell refused to be drawn on the issue, while Cats coach Chris Scott said the onus was on clubs to ensure players did not digress from what is required.

“I just don’t want to have an opinion on that stuff — I just want to understand it as well as possible,” he said.

“It’s incumbent on us to say to the players ‘this is how the game is being interpreted – your opinion does not matter, my opinion does not matter, let’s just be as good as we can at understanding it.”

Saints great Nick Riewoldt said the AFL is “trying to force players to respect umpires”.

‘You looked at big screen’: Umps furore rocks Hawks shock

Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins could be under the microscope of the match review officer on Tuesday morning after being accused of staging on Easter Monday that was followed by a “disgraceful” moment in the game.

With the game in the balance in the third quarter, Hawkins was nudged out of a marking contest in Geelong’s attack and fell with his arms splayed.

Fortunately for Hawks, the incident only steeled them further as they went on to upset Geelong by 12 points.

Social media went into meltdown accusing the Cats star of “diving”, which could result in a fine come Tuesday afternoon.

The umpire dissent rule is also set to come under further fire after Hawks duo Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston were subsequently penalised for thrusting his arms out in questioning the decision, punished with a 50m penalty that resulted in a Hawkins goal.

“You both looked at the screen (for the replay),” the umpire said. “And then you had your arms out. It’s umpire respect, OK?”.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas lashed the moment as “disgraceful”.

“Firstly, a wrong (free kick) as Hawk fakes massively,” he tweeted.

“Then Gunston and Mitchell standing in middle of ground talking to ump, see replay on screen and put their arms up … 50m (penalty).

“I thought arms up lately was now acceptable?? Pick & choose. This will end in tears in a very big game.”

Ex-Demons skipper Brad Green was adamant it was not abuse.

Tom Hawkins went back and kicked a goal after the 50m penalty.

Tom Mitchell speaks with umpire Hayden Gavine after the free kick.

“Umpires will never be able to understand frustration/emotion,” he wrote. “Governing body aren’t helping them.”

Hawthorn great Luke Hodge said players “do not know what they’re doing” under the current interpretation.

“This week there will be communication (from umpires) … and they are talking with their hands and using their emotions,” he said on Channel 7.

“The AFL has created this themselves … we cannot say anything to the umpires, and that they have relaxed over the last few weeks. Players do not know what they are doing.”

Tom Mitchell was seen speaking with the umpire at three-quarter time.

Monday’s crowd of 48,040 was the first time that attendance had dipped below 50,000 in 13 occasions.

CROWD FLOP

Monday’s nailbiting Hawthorn win was witnessed live by the lowest Easter Monday crowd in the showcase game’s history.

Geelong and Hawthorn have met in their Easter Monday clash on 13 occasions — which included one on Easter Tuesday to accommodate Anzac Day in 2011 — and Monday’s crowd of 48,040 was the first time that attendance had dipped below 50,000.

Weather was not on the league’s side, with a cold front battering the east coast and particularly Victoria throughout Sunday night and Monday.

But it marks the latest chapter in the AFL’s battle to get crowds back to the footy in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Mitch Lewis is congratulated by teammates after kicking a goal. Picture: Getty Images

Mitchell ignites to lead home Hawks

By Marc McGowan

Hawthorn has breathed life into the Sam Mitchell era with a fighting Easter Monday victory over Geelong at the MCG in the latest classic between the arch rivals.

The Hawks dashed to a three-goal lead inside six minutes and were 23 points up before quarter-time, but looked to have lost their grip on the contest when they slipped 13 points behind in the final term.

Enter Tom Mitchell, who snapped a close-range goal to kick off Hawthorn’s fourth-quarter charge that saw it run over the Cats for an important 12-point triumph.

The upstart Hawks snatched a top-eight berth in the process, with Geelong failing to kick a goal in the last term.

Mitchell barely touched the Sherrin in the second term, with Cats tagger Mark O’Connor wearing him closely, but he amassed 25 of his 33 disposals after halftime to lead the Hawks to victory.

Tom Mitchell bumps Patrick Dangerfield during Easter Monday’s epic contest. Picture: Getty Images

The Brownlow medallist’s 22 contested possessions were six more than anyone else on the ground as Hawthorn belted Geelong by 28 overall in that area.

Second-year player Jai Newcombe won a career-most 31 touches to also be influential, while Dylan Moore kicked four first-half goals and James Sicily had 26 disposals and 15 marks.

Sicily and Jeremy Cameron had an engrossing duel across the afternoon but Sicily took the honours despite the Cat slotting three goals.

Geelong skipper Joel Selwood started on the bench but was comfortably his team’s best, compiling 26 disposals, nine inside 50s and seven clearances and laying 10 tackles.

The Cats will rue their finishing after out-marking the Hawks 18-5 inside 50, only to fritter away a series of chances, none more costly than Tom Hawkins’ point-blank miss in the third quarter.

THE REEVES EFFECT

Hawks beanpole Ned Reeves had the most impactful 26-minute, two-disposal game in memory before dislocating his right shoulder after landing awkwardly from a spoil.

The 209cm giant was Hawthorn’s firestarter in the centre, racking up 10 hit-outs – four to advantage – and amassing three score involvements.

The Hawks didn’t win the inside 50 tally in any of their first four matches this year but Reeves was pivotal in them being 17-12 up in that statistic at quarter-time.

Reeves’ exit before quarter-time left Jacob Koschitzke to carry most of the ruck load, after Hawthorn opted not to pick ex-Pie Max Lynch, with captain Ben McEvoy (neck fracture) out long term.

Lynch, who was an emergency, hasn’t played at any level since round 1 after a concussion and spending time in the AFL’s health and safety protocols.

THEY HAVEN’T TOUCHED IT!

Hawthorn’s five-goals-to-one opening term was set up with a blistering first six minutes where the Hawks won 19 disposals to Geelong’s none.

The opener to Mitch Lewis came within the first 60 seconds before emerging star Dylan Moore slotted the next two, on his way to an equal-career-high fourth by the main break.

The Cats gradually chipped away at their deficit but the Hawks hit back with a vengeance at the end to join their opposition on three wins for the year.

Sam Mitchell has his young Hawks firing on all cylinders. Picture: AFL Photos via Getty Images

SCOREBOARD

HAWKS 5.3 8.4 10.4 14.8 (92)

CATS 1.4 6.6 11.10 11.14 (80)

McGOWAN’S BEST

Hawks: Mitchell, Newcombe, Sicily, Moore, Lewis, Gunston, Breust.

Cats: Selwood, Stewart, Duncan, Hawkins, Smith, Tuohy.

GOALS

Hawks: Moore 4, Gunston 3, Lewis 3, Breust 2, O’Meara, Mitchell.

Cats: Hawkins 3, Cameron 3, Stengle 3, Holmes, Dangerfield.

INJURIES

Hawks: Reeves (shoulder).

Cats: Henry (foot), Bews (shoulder).

UMPIRES

Rosebury, Gavine, Williamson

VENUE

MCG

CROWD

48,030

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

McGOWAN’S VOTES

3. T.Mitchell (Haw)

2. J.Newcombe (Haw)

1 J.Selwood (Geel)

Mitchell: Hawks far from finished product

By Marc McGowan

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says his Hawks are “far from a finished product” despite upsetting Geelong for their third win in five games to start the season.

The 12-point victory came after the Cats had erased a 23-point deficit to lead by 13 points early in the final term, with Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell instrumental in wresting back the momentum.

Hawthorn’s sterling performance followed its 69-point capitulation to St Kilda eight days earlier, a result that was clearly still on coach Mitchell’s mind.

“There’s a level of belief that comes from playing against a good side and being in those situations,” he said.

“I think it was a challenge, though, for us to make progress, because last week we probably lacked a couple of key moments where we just weren’t able to get any ascendancy in the game at all against the Saints.

“There were different aspects of the game today where we saw that again, and it was quite concerning that we weren’t able to arrest momentum as quickly as we’d like.

“But the thing that happened today was that the players recognised that and understood it … (their) ability to lead themselves mid-quarter was really pleasing today.

Jarman Impey with coach Sam Mitchell after their upset win against Geelong. Picture: AFL Photos via Getty Images

“It was a step in the right direction, but we’re far from a finished product, because we couldn’t do it last week and not a lot has changed in that time.”

Mitchell had to rejig his midfield set-up once ruckman Ned Reeves (dislocated shoulder) exited the game before quarter-time after being one of the contest’s most impactful players.

Jacob Koschitzke and Conor Nash carried the load in Reeves’ absence, with Max Lynch overlooked after a horror run with a concussion, being in Covid protocols, then suffering an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting.

But Mitchell said the Hawks had not ruled out Reeves playing next week as his side continues its developmental “journey”.

“Last week we were very disappointed with lots of parts of the game and this week we played much more consistently,” he said.

“I think the way we ran out the game was pleasing. It was the first time Jai Newcombe’s crossed the 30-possession barrier mark, so there were little wins (like that) for our young players.”

Scott says there’s nothing to worry about with Danger

By Marc McGowan

Champion Cat Patrick Dangerfield continues to manage “niggles” that are limiting his impact but is on track to have a better season than his last two, coach Chris Scott says.

The eight-time All-Australian finished Monday’s loss to Hawthorn with 17 disposals, including only three in the last quarter, when the Hawks ran over the top of Geelong.

It was Dangerfield’s third match from his past four with fewer than 20 touches after his outstanding round 1 performance that had Scott singing the 32-year-old’s praises.

“He’s played forward a little bit (and) he’s had a few little niggles that haven’t kept him out of games that might be holding him back a little bit,” Scott said.

Chris Scott has denied the Cats are playing Patrick Dangerfield less in the midfield in order to protect him.

“He wouldn’t like to use that as an excuse … he’s been in really good shape through the pre-season. I think he’s going to have a better year this year than he has the previous two.”

Scott refuted any suggestion they were playing Dangerfield less in the midfield to protect him.

“I don’t know whether we’re right necessarily but we do tend to back our players. We give them a structure that we’d like to work within and then empower them,” he said.

“So, if you want to read from that, that he’s choosing to be out of the action a little bit more for his own reasons, I think that’s a reasonable assessment to make.

“But we’re not deliberately keeping him out of there longer than we want him to be in there because of his body.”

Jack Henry (foot) was subbed out as a precaution because it was the same one he had surgery on, while Jed Bews (shoulder) and Cam Guthrie (corked leg) also sustained injuries.