Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has called for clarity at the AFL Tribunal, saying Geelong should be “bleeding” about the recent decisions on umpire contact.
Carlton pair Ed and Charlie Curow were both able to convince the tribunal that contact made with the umpires in last Saturday’s win over Essendon was careless, not intentional, which resulted in a $1,000 fine for each player.
Gold Coast’s Steven May also escaped suspension for umpire contact earlier this week. The confusion comes when you consider Geelong’s Tom Hawkins copped a one-game ban for umpire contact last week, which has left many stumped as to the messaging surrounding touching umpires.
According to Buckley, we need to find a solution to the inconsistent findings.
WHATELEY: AFL IS AGHAST AT TRIBUNAL
“If I was Geelong I’d be bleeding…absolutely bleeding,” he told SEN’s Whateley.
“Hawkins handled himself so well, I thought the club handled it well.
“You’d be scratching your head wondering, ‘Why be so gracious when it’s not actually supported or followed through?’
“Just make your mind up. Be clear.”
The AFL is considering whether or not to challenge the tribunal’s decision.