Nine players and one team manager reported for behaviour towards umpires this year

A 12th charge for behaviour towards an official so far this season as been heard by AFL Barwon’s independent match review panel.

A Queenscliff reserves player was struck during the quarter time break by an Ocean Grove opponent. Picture: Mark Wilson

The Geelong Football Umpires League says a concerning trend of untoward behaviour towards umpires had to end, following a 12th charge being assessed by AFL Barwon’s independent match review panel this week.

Modewarre reserves player, Bailey Scott, and Anakie runner, Kyle Kent, were sanctioned for abusive language during games last weekend.

Scott received a one-game suspension for low level abusive conduct towards umpire Daniel Robinson against Newcomb on Saturday in the final quarter at Mount Moriac Reserve.

It follows a raft of reports for behaviour towards umpires this season, including allegations of misconduct from an Inverleigh team manager on June 21, umpire contact, spitting and a player acting in an obscene manner.

A Modewarre reserves played received a one-game ban for abusive language towards an umpire. Picture: Mark Wilson

Meanwhile, Kent received a reprimand following an early guilty plea for language towards Inverleigh player Casey Meehan in the opening term of the seniors match at Inverleigh Reserve.

Earlier that day at the same ground, Anakie’s Zac Nicholls reportedly struck Inverleigh’s Darcy Norris in the reserves game.

He reduced his three-game ban to two with a guilty plea.

In the Queenscliff v Ocean Grove reserves game, the Grubbers’ Mitch Ward copped a one-game ban for striking the Coutas’ Max Breisch at quarter time.

A further two players in the Colac & District Football League have been reported for abuse towards an umpire this year, making 10 people in total across all four senior football competitions this year under AFL Barwon’s umbrella.

Geelong Football Umpires League spokesperson Norm Douglas was supportive of the handling of the reports so far.

“Just like players and coaches, umpires can, do and will continue to make mistakes from time to time,” Douglas said.

“This is part of our game. It’s a difficult game to play and officiate.

“Everyone involved in local football needs to understand that behind the whistle are people. “Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, doctors, teachers, business people, trades people, police officers, lawyers, accountants etc etc.

“Our umpires are not separate to the local football community, they are an integral part of it and hence need to be treated in the same manner that you would treat a teammate, fellow club person, family member or friend.

“The time for treating umpires as something other than the above needs to end.

“It’s tiresome and rather embarrassing to see grown adults, yelling abuse to umpires because the didn’t like the outcome of a game.”

Originally published as Nine players and one team manager reported for behaviour towards umpires this year