Oatlands and Triabunna match called off because of alleged abuse of player by umpire

AFL Tasmania is investigating after an umpire at a game in the state’s midlands allegedly verbally abused a player – bringing the game to a halt. What will happen next.

Sherrin. PICTURE: ANDY ROGERS

AFL Tasmania will work with the Oatlands District Football Association (ODFA) to gain all information required after a Saturday game in the Midlands was brought to an abrupt halt over allegations an umpire verbally abused a player.

The ODFA match between home team Oatlands and top-of-the table Triabunna was called off in the third quarter after the incident.

After initially announcing that the Triabunna and Oatlands match had simply been “abandoned” during the third quarter, the association later clarified the reason behind the move.

“The Oatlands vs. Triabunna match was abandoned during the third quarter, due to an umpire’s abuse towards a player,” the Oatlands District Football Association wrote on its Facebook.

“The ODFA has always strongly condemned abuse towards umpires, but it must be a two-way street.”

Greg Dare, coach of Oatlands Football Club congratulated Oatlands on their win. Picture: Supplied.

As the match was beyond half time, the score was considered official.

Triabunna had a commanding lead on the scoreboard at 24.15.159 and Oatlands 2.0.12.

ODFA president Brian O’Reilly said the incident was immediately reported to AFL Tasmania on Saturday afternoon and he had full faith the governing body would address the incident appropriately.

Asked if the umpire’s mental well-being was as much a focus as getting to the bottom of the incident, Mr O’Reilly said: “That’s where the AFL is coming from, and that’s where we’re coming from.

“We don’t want to hold an umpire out to blame, or anything like that. It’s up to the umpires departments and the AFL (Tasmania) to work through it.

“I was at another game, but was informed very soon after it happened that the (other) umpire had called the game off.

“The ODFA official informed the AFL (Tasmania) very quickly what happened, and went through the proper process there. We’re guided by them as to what we do now.”

Oatlands coach Greg Dare posted on social media after the game, congratulating Triabunna on their “great win” and said there were “no hard feelings” towards the umpire.

“On behalf of the Oatlands football club, well done to Triabunna, great win, and we all hope the umpire today is okay,” Mr Dare wrote.

“He had a bad day, as we all do in football, no hard feelings from the Oatlands football club.”

And while there were some quick to agree with Mr Dare’s sentiments, some said the incident should not have happened.

The Oatlands club later blocked comments on its Facebook page, and urged people to “keep it civil.”

Triabunna Football Club re-posted Oatlands’ post with the message “A bit of a disappointing way to finish our home and away season. Today’s incident wasn’t acceptable, but respect is a two-way street and the decision made by your club was well and truly valid.”

Tasmanian Football Umpires Association president Kim Dillon said the process had begun to attain greater clarity around the incident.

“We will continue to investigate the incident in coming days to gain a better understanding of the full circumstances that lead to the game being called off before reaching any conclusions.

“We are supporting the umpire involved, as the health and wellbeing of our members remains paramount.”