Brisbane star Eric Hipwood has avoided suspension for pushing Western Bulldogs opponent Ryan Gardner into the path of umpire Jacob Mollison.
Sent straight to the tribunal after Gardner and Mollison made heavy contact in Brisbane’s win against the Bulldogs, the jury found Hipwood guilty of careless contact with an umpire but only imposed a $2,500 fine.
The AFL had pushed for a two-game ban, arguing he’d intentionally pushed Gardner into the path of the umpire.
But Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson, who said the incident was “quite troubling” when viewed from certain angles, said Hipwood’s carelessness was not high.
Gleeson said the behind-goals camera view showed Gardner had “deviated and all but stopped” as both players ran towards the Lions’ attacking 50m.
He found while Hipwood breached his duty of care to the umpire, his action alone had not caused the incident.
Brisbane’s defence centred around their belief Gardner initiated the contact by running to block the Lion, with Hipwood bracing for the impact.
Hipwood, who’s never been suspended in his AFL career, argued he wasn’t aware the umpire was nearby until the contact was made.
“I would never do that … I’d never do that in any sport at all,” he said.
“I’ve played sport since I was six years old and never had conflict or contact with an umpire throughout my career.”
AFL lawyer Nick Pane paused vision of the incident where Hipwood was looking at Bailey where umpire Mollison was directly behind him, and suggested he must have known he was there.
“Whilst he denies having vision of the umpire the footage suggests he must have had vision and been aware of the position of the umpire,” he said.
“A fine is far from adequate when an umpire has been subjected to the level of carelessness … and degree of force in the collision,” he said.
Hipwood’s lawyer Adrian Anderson said Gardner running across his opponent was prohibited contact and against the laws of the game.
He also referred to an incident from earlier this year where Fremantle’s Michael Walters pushed a GWS player into the path of an umpire and noted it was ruled careless contact despite seeing the umpire was present.
It leaves Hipwood free to play against Essendon this weekend.
Earlier on Tuesday, Nick Vlastuin accepted a one-game ban for striking West Coast’s Connor West, and Hawthorn’s Will Day took a week ban for forceful front-on contact against GWS star Josh Kelly.
Some 10 other players accepted fines.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
True but I think the precedent needs to be even if you inadvertently push a player into an umpire it’s a suspension
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
But that’s my point. It hasn’t happened that often. I’ve certainly never seen it before.
G money
Roar Rookie
I thought it was established that it was a last second change of direction from Gardner that propelled him in that direction as opposed to open grass.. or am I wrong?
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
But the thing is players like Nick Riewoldt and johnathan brown have said they use the umpires as a buffer zone between them and their direct opponent they push their player to the left of the umpire while they go right as a way to get separation so if anything I’m surprised this hasn’t happened more often
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I agree Gardiner has gotten away with this for too long he needs to own up to his mistakes and be suspended for the rest of the season
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Found guilty of causing contact with an umpire that sent him sprawling to the ground but only a fine. Wow this demonstrates to all and sundry the incompetence of the AFL tribunal. Embarrassing !!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Well, it depends. It's a weird scenario. I think if we see this more often, I'll start to worry about it. I don't think we will though.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
So lucky the ump got up & luck he didn’t break a leg= 2,500 fine. Broken leg or concussion for Ump 6-12 weeks, that’s how l read it :stoked:
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
A good verdict. Players are on notice, basically. If you do something similar, you'll get a week. Expect longer, if you knock the umpire out in the process. That's how I read it.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
He should have been suspended cause l thought no contact to umpires but Sykes still we know that if a umpire is a cu.t during a match you can get your opponent & shove him towards the umpire & knock the umpire out or better still he breaks a leg or arm then the same judge can suggest it’s an accident :laughing:
Nick
Roar Guru
What a charming precedent now set.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Technically it was the Western Bulldogs player who bashed the umpire.... Gardner should of been suspended! :silly:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Brisbane players are now allowed to bash umpires & despite seeing the umpire is applauded & fined no suspension :laughing: Tell me the the secret ingredient :stoked:
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Bizarre. Does this ruling set the precedent that if someone runs into you it's ok to push them?
Macca
Roar Rookie
Weird result, we find you guilty but we don'thik what you did was bad?
XI
Roar Guru
:angry: