Contact with Umpires

[Pag]

Also, there was an incident last year with Hodge...he HUGGED an umpire and there was no free kick. The umpire laughed along with Hodge. I think all Shaw was doing was tapping the umpire to get him to look at him, but thats a lot different from what Hodge did...it couldve been seen as hostility rather then "affection".

Off topic-slightly, but this a good point, one that Glenn Jakovich touched on in yesterdays calls, when he referred to an umpire being too chummy with a player ... It's been going on for years and I've always disliked it when you'd hear "Hirdy (or Bucks) come back 2 steps mate" but for any fringe type of player it would be "free kick <insert team> number 5".

I know the AFL have been trying to promote good relations between umpires and players for quite some time, and you can't condemn them for that, but I reckon the umps should be a little distanced.

I don't mind the umpires using nicknames to talk to players, that's what they're used to being called anyway. It even happens in the ammos when umps (who usually do the same division week after week) get to know players by nicknames. But the Hodge thing is interesting, got nothing for the 'affectionate' contact, yet Shaw (rightly or wrongly) gave the umpire a little love-tap on the arm and will go. Who determines what's 'affectionate' contact and what's not?

I just think that rightly or wrongly, the public might have a perception that those players the umpires seem chummier with, receive additional benefit ... Im not for a minute suggesting that is the case, but perception is a big thing on this scale.

You're right about differentiating between the types of contact and I wonder what the ruling suggests .. If it's STRICTLY no contact whatsoever, then Hodge might have been lucky.

Shaw deserves games just for being so stupid .. BTW, how many do we all think he'll go for? I'm guessing the tribunal might look to make a statement here and it could be around 4 weeks.

I think around 4 as well. Spida Everitt said yesterday on Channel 7 he should get 6-7 weeks. Bit over the top I would think.

[Adelaide Hawk]

This whole issue has got way out of hand. Time for the game to lighten up a little. 6-7 weeks for what Shaw did is absurd, but hardly surprising coming from an idiot like Everitt.

Besides, Everitt is one who should know better. He was one of the first players to cop unnecessary suspensions for contact with an umpire.

Whereas I certainly don't condone abusing umpires (verbal and physical), surely what Shaw did cannot be considered all that serious. A fine should be sufficient, but as usual the AFL won't be able to control themselves and they'll go over the top once more.

The game just contuinues to disappoint in so many ways.

[HH3]

You're right about differentiating between the types of contact and I wonder what the ruling suggests .. If it's STRICTLY no contact whatsoever, then Hodge might have been lucky.

Im pretty sure that after the Hodge incident last year the AFL has told players that theres to be no touching of the umpires. Affectionate or otherwise. That is probably the best way to do it because there can be no arguements about whether the player pushed or hugged an umpire...no means no...

[Zelezny Chucks]

If punching an umpire would see you banned for life why is 6 or 7 weeks excessive for what was a deliberate push?

I think the AFL will be harsh on it not because of the result of the push but because of the intent. Shaw pushed him because he didn't agree with the decision. It wasn't just a tap on the arm, the umpire was pushed off his the line he was travelling.

Add to all that Shaw hasn't exactly got a squeaky clean image.

[aceman]

I've got to say that a couple of those clowns need a punch in the guts to wake them up a bit. That clown in WA, Umpire #6, is he Adolph Hitler reincarnated or not?
Never seen or heard a more efficious moron in my life, loves the authority and the sound of his own voice. For God's sake, getting the microphones off them would be a good start.

[magpie in the 80's]

Collingwood's Heath Shaw has been suspended for one game and fined $1950 after pleading guilty to making intentional contact with an umpire.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 11,00.html

AND

Injury-ravaged Hawthorn have scored an important win at the AFL tribunal, with premiership utility Campbell Brown found not guilty of rough conduct.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 11,00.html

[Adelaide Hawk]

Collingwood's Heath Shaw has been suspended for one game and fined $1950 after pleading guilty to making intentional contact with an umpire.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 11,00.html

And I think that's a pretty good penalty. Severe fine and minimal loss of matches. Well done AFL.