After the Herald Sun reported a Parkmore Springvale Districts under-19s player struck an umpire in the face over the weekend, a relative of the official has called into SEN Breakfast to explain the incident.
The 19-year-old player hit the teenage field umpire in the face in the second quarter of a match against East Brighton, leading to the game being abandoned.
Luke from Sandringham, the cousin of the umpire, gave us an update on his health after the attack.
“He’s fine. He’s a really good kid. He’s pretty strong and I’m 90 per cent sure he even umpired junior footy again yesterday,” he told SEN Breakfast.
Luke took us through the incident and what actually occurred from what he was told.
“He paid a free kick against someone, there was a bit of abuse from the player, they paid a 50 metre penalty and then another player has come in and struck him in the mouth.”
“He’s tried to dodge it, but it still got him and it’s cut his lip and his tooth has either gone through his lip or cut his lip.
“The player was sent off and the game was pretty much abandoned on the spot.”
Luke went on to say the club of the player has essentially disowned him for the incident.
“The club’s absolutely shamed. It’s the worst thing they’ve seen on a footy field and the kid was told pack your bags and don’t ever come back,” he said.
“It’s good to hear the club’s reacted quite strongly and quickly and they don’t want anything to do with him.”
Former Richmond coach Danny Frawley hopes this incident doesn’t deter young people from going down the umpire path.
“The last thing we need is junior umpires walking away from the game, because the recruitment and the retention of umpires throughout Australia is one of the big things in AFL because of the growth of women’s footy, we need as many umpires as we possibly can,” he said.
“The guy who did it, he should never be able to play Aussie Rules ever again.”