Division 2 in 2007!

[Doc Neeson]

Agreed Falcon Chick I was at this game and from my vantage point this was certainly a bit more than accident. Christofis clearly had no thought process of going for the ball and a raised elbow to the jaw was very very bad. The lad broke his jaw which also I believe needs to be taken in to consideration at the tribunal. If the league is serious about stamping this type of stuff out of the game surely a severe penalty should be handed out.

After speaking to both of the umpires after the game, one said he couldn't see the incident because it was in a pack and the other didn't really want to report him, but when he saw the PNU player laying on the ground, he felt compelled to.

Lets all just wait till Wednesday night before we jump to any conclusions.

As for being a thug, Christofis probably doesnt assert himself on the field enough, at times he could destroy the packs like a Jonathon Brown but like his character off the field, he is just a rather reserved, quiet guy.

[Newman]

Interested to hear falcon chicks view on this. I know she is pretty passionate about her club and players. Her reaction to this will probably determine how many games he gets. Just hope the tribunal treats the case fairly and doesnt take in to account that it is finals time.

[Cracker]

Correct Newman I know that there are some pro port districts people in high places in this league and it will be an absolute disgrace on the leagues credibility if he gets off scott free.

[Shaz]

This is one of the things I hate about amateur league! I reckon every team in the league would have at least one player a year that gets some sort of facial injury from an after the play incident, or even a cheap shot during play. However, the player only gets reported if it is right in front of the umpire, even then the umpire might not see it. This is understandable though as there are only 2 field umpires and they are trying to keep up with the actual play not behind the play incidents.

I've umpired a lot of different sports in my time, and although the end result might be bad (i.e. broken nose, split head, fractured checkbone etc.) you cannot pay a free or suspend a player if you didn't actually the incident occur or where the player was actually hit. For a player to get suspended umpires have to know exactly what happened, I think that's what scares umpires in the SAAFL from reporting incidents and also what jerks teams off.

It would be interesting if the tribunal started bringing in evidence from spectators to supplement investigations.

[Zelezny Chucks]

If you start bringing in opinions from outside the fence then you open up a whole can of worms! Spectators for the most part are one eyed so an incident against someone on there team will seem worse in there eyes than in someone else also you add in the amount of pissed blokes that watch a footy match on a sunday combined with the time it would take to goto tribunal allowing people to match there stories up? The only one that should be able to have this power from the sidelines should be a neutral league official that has no affiliation with either club!

[Footy Chick]

Alot of you make very good points, especially ZC. now becuase this is heading to the tribunal I'm not about to go and say too much. However, I will say that the event did not occur in a pack, they were the only 2 players in the vicinity (within a metre anyway)at the time, it was clear as day in front of me ( I was standing at the corner of the centre square on the clubroom side, about 15m away). I wouldn't say it was a cheap shot, but it was a stupid shot... let's put it this way, I was very surprised when I saw who did it... all I was really thinking at the time was "FARGEN HELL, not cheesy's head again "

[Shaz]

Yep, agree with you ZC! Evidence from 'supporters' would never work. I know they can only work with te resources they have, but the whole reporting system in the SAAFL is very frustrating for clubs. For example one of your best players gets cleaned up with a smashed cheekbone, is out for the rest of the game and for the next couple of months, te other player is not reported. A few weeks later one of your players is involved in a similar incident and gets rubbed out (as they should!). I think it is the inconsitencies in the penalties that annoys clubs.

It would be interesting to see how extended use of the red card rule would go in amateur league football. e.g. any trip, blatant strike, serious head high contact results in a send off with no replacement for the rest of the game.

[FOOTYGODS]

well from what i hear he deserves atleast 3, doesn't matter what he is like off the field it's the stupid things people do that get them into trouble and this sounds like a stupid thing you do the crime be prepared to do the time, and a broken jaw shouldn't go unoticed....

[footy fan]

I think this all very timely as on Wednesday night a Payneham player is facing charges of striking Matt Jolly behind the play and breaking his eye socket.

This may end up in court for damages.

I will tell you one thing about christofis, he aint a thug, A little light hearted at times but certainly no thug. I hear it was just an accident where the unlucky player cam from his blind side. I have played with christofis , never ever seen him do anything untoward in a game of Footy and his record will show that. We will be disspointed if we dont get to play him in finals. Maybe rexy spoke to big stoffie and told him which bloke it was that hit him resulting in him flicking blood on the players face, stoffie will be right, looking forward to finals!!!

[footy fan]

Alot of you make very good points, especially ZC. now becuase this is heading to the tribunal I'm not about to go and say too much. However, I will say that the event did not occur in a pack, they were the only 2 players in the vicinity (within a metre anyway)at the time, it was clear as day in front of me ( I was standing at the corner of the centre square on the clubroom side, about 15m away). I wouldn't say it was a cheap shot, but it was a stupid shot... let's put it this way, I was very surprised when I saw who did it... all I was really thinking at the time was "FARGEN HELL, not cheesy's head again "

You have just hung him FC glad you decided not to say too much as it was going to the tribunial. I am sure stoffie would like to thank you. You have never played the game so keep your opinions to yourself. !!!!

[dinglinga]

after reading the discussion regarding Christofis...
some points that need to be raised...
1 .. like any sporting organisations especially amatuer and suburan leagues.. all commitee members have links to one club
2... even if he isnt a thug ..did he contact the player with an elbow to the head....
3... im sure that tribunal members would be good enough to act on the evidence given and not what is published here.

[Footy Chick]

Alot of you make very good points, especially ZC. now becuase this is heading to the tribunal I'm not about to go and say too much. However, I will say that the event did not occur in a pack, they were the only 2 players in the vicinity (within a metre anyway)at the time, it was clear as day in front of me ( I was standing at the corner of the centre square on the clubroom side, about 15m away). I wouldn't say it was a cheap shot, but it was a stupid shot... let's put it this way, I was very surprised when I saw who did it... all I was really thinking at the time was "FARGEN HELL, not cheesy's head again "

You have just hung him FC glad you decided not to say too much as it was going to the tribunial. I am sure stoffie would like to thank you. You have never played the game so keep your opinions to yourself. !!!!

I haven't hung anyone buddy, and was just giving my view just as others did. I doubt that the tribunal is going to hang him based on what is written on here... and what the does that fact that I've never played the game have to do with what I saw?

That's what forums are for, voicing your opinions.. and everyone is entitled to one. Just like your entitled to tell me to keep my opinions to myself, I'm entitled to tell you to keep your chauvenistic, half witted moronic comments to your self... talk about the wheel spinning while the hamsters dead...

[Cracker]

I think this all very timely as on Wednesday night a Payneham player is facing charges of striking Matt Jolly behind the play and breaking his eye socket.

This may end up in court for damages.

I will tell you one thing about christofis, he aint a thug, A little light hearted at times but certainly no thug. I hear it was just an accident where the unlucky player cam from his blind side. I have played with christofis , never ever seen him do anything untoward in a game of Footy and his record will show that. We will be disspointed if we dont get to play him in finals. Maybe rexy spoke to big stoffie and told him which bloke it was that hit him resulting in him flicking blood on the players face, stoffie will be right, looking forward to finals!!!

A little confused with your comment here fan you sound like you are from an opposing club which makes your comments ridiculous. This report is not based on whether he is a thug or not. The basis of this report are the facts which are he raised his elbow made reckless contact head high and this resulted in a player breaking his jaw. 3 weeks minimum 5 if the tribunal do their job probably. Fan you sound like a player that is trying to de rail your teams finals campaign even before they start. FC any truth to the rumour that your club have contacted the Amateur league over this matter.

[Footy Chick]

I think this all very timely as on Wednesday night a Payneham player is facing charges of striking Matt Jolly behind the play and breaking his eye socket.

This may end up in court for damages.

I will tell you one thing about christofis, he aint a thug, A little light hearted at times but certainly no thug. I hear it was just an accident where the unlucky player cam from his blind side. I have played with christofis , never ever seen him do anything untoward in a game of Footy and his record will show that. We will be disspointed if we dont get to play him in finals. Maybe rexy spoke to big stoffie and told him which bloke it was that hit him resulting in him flicking blood on the players face, stoffie will be right, looking forward to finals!!!

A little confused with your comment here fan you sound like you are from an opposing club which makes your comments ridiculous. This report is not based on whether he is a thug or not. The basis of this report are the facts which are he raised his elbow made reckless contact head high and this resulted in a player breaking his jaw. 3 weeks minimum 5 if the tribunal do their job probably. Fan you sound like a player that is trying to de rail your teams finals campaign even before they start. FC any truth to the rumour that your club have contacted the Amateur league over this matter.

huh?? In relation to what?

[Cracker]

The report from Saturday

[Zelezny Chucks]

after reading the discussion regarding Christofis...
some points that need to be raised...
1 .. like any sporting organisations especially amatuer and suburan leagues.. all commitee members have links to one club
2... even if he isnt a thug ..did he contact the player with an elbow to the head....
3... im sure that tribunal members would be good enough to act on the evidence given and not what is published here.

what I actually said was a league official who didnt have any links with either club not no club I understand in volunteer positions you are always going to have people affiliated with clubs but if they are aligned with a club not involved they may be able to give an unbiased opinion more so than your average Joe Pisshead sittin in the pocket hurling abuse!

[Newman]

You would hope so ZC.

[torp]

who made the report if both umpires did not see the incident? if it was a pack situation and umpires are both unsighted, only evidence from players in the area should be allowed. if there is any doubt that is reasonable (eg fall on to a knee or getting hit accidentally while being tackle)the verdict must be not guilty. so it is up to the umpires, players and or officials to provide compelling evidence to suggest the accused action were with malice ,reckless or accidental. then penilized accordingly

[turbo182]

who made the report if both umpires did not see the incident? if it was a pack situation and umpires are both unsighted, only evidence from players in the area should be allowed. if there is any doubt that is reasonable (eg fall on to a knee or getting hit accidentally while being tackle)the verdict must be not guilty. so it is up to the umpires, players and or officials to provide compelling evidence to suggest the accused action were with malice ,reckless or accidental. then penilized accordingly

Perhaps it could have been a goal umpire?

We had an incident ealier in the year where a goal Umpire reported someone at half time for an incident that happened in terh second quarter.

Given Crisso's a forward, perhaps the goal umprie down his end may have to give evidence.

[Newman]

Steven Baker gets 7 games with hardly no evidence from umpires and the tribunal take in to account the injuries sustained to Farmer. I wonder if the amateur league will adopt the same approach!!!