Serious injury forces AFL Cairns game to be abandoned

A local footy umpire has been injured in an incident which forced a game to be called off. SEE THE LATEST.

An Cairns AFL game has been abandoned after a goal umpire was injured.

The game between Cairns Saints and South Cairns Cutters was called off in the second quarter when Caleb Hepworth roved a pack and kicked a goal only for the ball to hit the goal umpire in the head causing him to double over.

The umpire looked in serious distress with central umpire Geoff Pemberton and the trainer from the Cutters making sure he was okay.

Seconds later as the umpire walked to the goal line, the umpire appeared to fall backwards, still in the arms of Pemberton and the trainer.

Paramedics were called and the ambulance arrived within about 20 minutes.

AFL Cairns Umpires President John Riordan said the umpire in question is “doing ok.”

“He’s got a slight concussion,” Riordan

“We’re hoping he gets the all clear shortly.

“We’re very happy with the outcome.”

Riordan clarified there was “absolutely no malice” in the incident and was full of praise for how everyone at the venue handled the aftermath.

“We’re extremely pleased with how the two clubs came together to assist a fallen umpire,” he said.

“It’s just the sign of a great community.”

AFL Cairns General Manager Craig Lees said he was pleased with how the safety and wellbeing of one of their members had taken priority over all else within the football community in that moment.

“The way it was all handled was brilliant,” he said.

“The welfare of the umpire was paramount for all involved.

“Footy takes a secondary role when it comes to incidents like this.”

Lees said the umpire would be assisted by AFL Cairns throughout his recovery process, remarking that the umpires as a collective are treated “like a 10th club” within the football community.

“Every one of our members is an integral part of what we’re trying to do here,” he said.

“We’ll be checking in and making sure he’s progressing well, but of course we’ll let the medicos step in and do their job.

“Our focus will be on working with (Riordan) and the umpires association to see how we can support the umpire and his family.”

With some confusion resulting from AFL Cairns’ decision to declare the match incomplete, the league issued a statement on Sunday morning explaining the reasoning.

“As per the Laws of Australian Football 11.1.2 - the match was declared incomplete, as it was not able to be recommenced within a 30 minute period,” the statement read.

“Whilst AFL Cairns Umpires Association were ready to go, should the game be ready to recommence, unfortunately the time had far surpassed the 30 minute threshold, as such the game was declared incomplete.

“As a result, the match will be declared a draw and the scores of the teams will be used to calculate percentage (As per Law 11.1.2 (c)).”

Originally published as Serious injury forces AFL Cairns game to be abandoned