Bizarre twist as Dimma cops $2k fine for flipping the bird

In a bizarre twist, the Gold Coast Suns are forwarding Damien Hardwick's bird-flipping fine to broadcaster Fox Footy for airing the incident on AFL 360.

On Tuesday afternoon, the AFL handed down a $2000 fine to the Suns' coach for the action, directed at AFL umpire Nathan Williamson over a missed call in the dying stages of their defeat to the Giants on Sunday.

The Fox Footy program aired the incident on Monday night, as the moment did not go to air as it happened during the Suns' seven-point loss.

According to Channel 9 journalist and SEN regular Tom Morris, the Suns are set to request that the broadcaster cover Hardwick's $2000 fine.

Flipping the bird has been a common “offence” this season with Geelong star Bailey Smith copping a fine for making the gesture at fans after their clash against Adelaide.

Harley Reid was also in hot water for a middle finger directed at Brisbane fans.

Both copped $1000 fines.

HARDWICK'S ADMISSION ON AFL 360

Damien Hardwick admits he might be in a spot of trouble after vision of him giving a middle finger salute to an umpire during the Suns' defeat to the Giants emerged.

Late on in Gold Coast’s seven-point loss on Sunday, a late call went against Hardwick’s side. It was a moment the coach believed could have reignited their late push to snatch victory and his reaction in the box said it all.

“It was a curious day for umpiring, Damien. There were three different incidents,” Gerard Whateley said when Hardwick joined AFL 360 via video.

"Oh was it Gerard, was it?!" Hardwick quipped with a smile.

Asked about the boundary throw, Hardwick continued: “I love Nathan Williamson the umpire that made the decision, I thought we’re gonna have one last crack at it so when he called boundary throw I was like ‘What? What?'.”

Vision of Hardwick – clearly unimpressed – inside the coaches’ box was then played, Hardwick and the entire panel seeing the funny side.

“You had to you blokes, you’ve killed me with that,” he said.

“It should have been insufficient intent, we know that, I think. But at the end of the day, the game was dead and buried, so we move on pretty quickly.

“Although, the (middle) finger salute might get me in a bit of trouble.”