Given two matches were called off this weekend (including a B Grade game!) it suggests that the Committee’s of all clubs need to step up to the plate and take a stance.
Just as it is unacceptable for players or supporters to racially abuse other players, it is unacceptable for coaches, players or supporters to accept conduct which is not in the spirit of the game.
CLUBS should adopt a hard line stance and ban players and spectators found guilty of acts of thuggery in a serious attempt to stamp out violence in Amateur Football.
The WAAFL should consider fines and loss of premiership points, in addition to suspending the player, in instances of extreme offending, particularly where it involves supporters entering the field of play or players involved in late hits and off the ball brawls.
Automatic investigation of all these type of incidents is required and penalties need to be given to clubs if it is obvious that no real duty of care considerations are provided for opposition teams and supporters.
I concur Al. Absolutely unacceptable that there can be games called off as a result of thugs who think they are bigger than the game. WAAFL should adopt a loss of points policy which will definitely get clubs acting on poor behaviour!
I attended a game on Saturday and the abuse of the umpires was just a joke. Banter is one thing but this degenerated into crude personal abuse. When a small group of ignorant supporters just indulge in this type off unrelenting abuse particularly when they are very close to the boundary it often ends up being played out on the field.
Doesn’t take much for a club to get control of the situation by telling them to shut up or better still that they are not welcome.
From the way I see it umpires with the WAAFL are trying to stamp out violence all together and there is a no tolerance approach.
Facts from the incident:
1: two players engaged in push and shove (happens 5 times a game, nothing serious at all)
2: a Willo supporter (reserves player) entered the field of play (plain clothes)
3: the said incident occurred 5 meters infront of the Willo bench
4: not one punch was thrown
5: neither team on field engaged in a fight
6: the teams both huddled whilst the captains talked to the umpires
7: the umpire called ‘game off’ as soon as the supporter step foot on the field
8: both teams and coaches wanted the game to continue
9: the supporter who ran on the field was told to leave and did so within 5 mins of the incident
10: everyone was in a state of shock with what had happened
From what I believe the umpire whom called the game off was ‘king hit’ by a spectaitor, whilst umpiering a game some years ago.
Obviously the WAAFL are cracking down on these incidents. Will be interesting to see the outcome of this one
Crowd behaviour is an issue across all grades. In a few games I went to last year the teams were penalised with 50’s (some resulted in goals) due to spectator abuse which came from supporters standing in proximity to the bench. In addition the umpires were abused as they left the field of play at full time, disgraceful.
Obviously a disappointing result for the players in the BCl v Willo match but one would think that the supporter at the centre of this incident should be made an example of by his club. As you say Billy Bevan, a no tolerance approach gets the message across pretty quick, especially if backed by the club/peers of the individual.
Big Al, pretty sure fines etc do already exist for these types of offences. Perhaps the WAAFL need to publicise penalties handed to clubs or individuals as part of a education in consequences for these types of actions.
Hear hear, Dicky Boy.
The said Reserves player should be banned from all grounds for the entire season.
Gutless act and should have a zero tolerance by umpires, officials and particularly his represented club.
I think because of an incident that happened last season between Nollamara and Osborne Park is what kicked off a no tolerance view in amatuer footy. It got media attention and I believe the WAAFL weren’t too happy. Maybe because of the incident, games are getting called off as soon as an altercation of dramatic proportions hapoens. I dunno, just a thought.
I don’t think any club condones violence. Sure there’s players with short tempers and supporters with even less but keeping a game under control is the issue here and unfortunately alot of umpires are crap at it.
Any sort of confrontation and they blatantly start screwing over that team out of spite (we’ve all seen it). They then wonder why supporters nearly linch them at the end of games.
Now i’m not condoning umpire abuse but cool heads should prevail in a crisis and alot of the guys in charge like pouring petrol on the fire. I don’t reckon calling of games is going to sort it out.
Good umpires are not noticed, im sure we have all been at games and at the end of the day we tend to not notice the good umps because like the good players most of the times they get it right.
Its the poor umpires that umpire inconsistant from contest to contest that infuriate players, supporters and people watching the game. I dont think the umpiring panel puts enough work into these umpires to improve them.
I spoke to an umpire on the weekend about some incidents from our game and his response was I was getting flustered from the crowd and then i stopped concentrating on what I was supposed to be doing. A good umpire would have stamped his authority on the ground and taken control back of fthe players, remember umpires are there to ensure the game is played fairly and within the rules.
As for violence at games, its not on, and players need to stop getting away with cheapshots.
Good umpires are not noticed, im sure we have all been at games and at the end of the day we tend to not notice the good umps because like the good players most of the times they get it right.
Its the poor umpires that umpire inconsistant from contest to contest that infuriate players, supporters and people watching the game. I dont think the umpiring panel puts enough work into these umpires to improve them.
I spoke to an umpire on the weekend about some incidents from our game and his response was I was getting flustered from the crowd and then i stopped concentrating on what I was supposed to be doing. A good umpire would have stamped his authority on the ground and taken control back of fthe players, remember umpires are there to ensure the game is played fairly and within the rules.
As for violence at games, its not on, and players need to stop getting away with cheapshots.
Willetton needs to name and ban this player…
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Totally agree with everything you say.
Obviously it’s hard to get umpires but some of the blokes they get look like they are only there for money and the hotdogs. Would be great if the senior umps could provide some mentoring as well as all clubs falling into line.
Good umpires are not noticed, im sure we have all been at games and at the end of the day we tend to not notice the good umps because like the good players most of the times they get it right.
Its the poor umpires that umpire inconsistant from contest to contest that infuriate players, supporters and people watching the game. I dont think the umpiring panel puts enough work into these umpires to improve them.
I spoke to an umpire on the weekend about some incidents from our game and his response was I was getting flustered from the crowd and then i stopped concentrating on what I was supposed to be doing. A good umpire would have stamped his authority on the ground and taken control back of fthe players, remember umpires are there to ensure the game is played fairly and within the rules.
As for violence at games, its not on, and players need to stop getting away with cheapshots.
Willetton needs to name and ban this player…
[/quote]
Totally agree with everything you say.
Obviously it’s hard to get umpires but some of the blokes they get look like they are only there for money and the hotdogs. Would be great if the senior umps could provide some mentoring as well as all clubs falling into line.
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I doubt that an umpire wouldn’t have said that, Premiership Hangover. It’s not the umpires fault if they call the game off because of violence, I think if people are complaining at the umpire for calling the game off they need to have a good look at themselves and the club they play for. I have never stepped onto a football field looking for a fight or ever wanting to get involved in one. The aim of the game is to play the ball, and kick more goals than your opposition. Not to throw punches and blame umpires for not wanting things to get out of hand so they call the game off. Having a go at the umpires is a very weak excuse
I didnt mention anything about the umpire calling the game off, the umpires have followed the rules there no issues, I just think things could be better controlled if umpires asserted themselves better in a game and took pride in trying to earn their money, not taking it for beer money later on the saturday night.
Unfortunately at some clubs there is a mentality of its to hard to deal with these issues rather than taking ownership and dealing with them. You usually and I say usually find these issues tend to happen with clubs that are regular lower grade clubs
I believe that the WAAFL should provide an incentive for former players to take up umpiring. Seems to work for the AFL, should have more ex-players on the umpiring board.
Good umpires are not noticed, im sure we have all been at games and at the end of the day we tend to not notice the good umps because like the good players most of the times they get it right.
Its the poor umpires that umpire inconsistant from contest to contest that infuriate players, supporters and people watching the game. I dont think the umpiring panel puts enough work into these umpires to improve them.
I spoke to an umpire on the weekend about some incidents from our game and his response was I was getting flustered from the crowd and then i stopped concentrating on what I was supposed to be doing. A good umpire would have stamped his authority on the ground and taken control back of fthe players, remember umpires are there to ensure the game is played fairly and within the rules.
As for violence at games, its not on, and players need to stop getting away with cheapshots.
Willetton needs to name and ban this player…
[/quote]
Totally agree with everything you say.
Obviously it’s hard to get umpires but some of the blokes they get look like they are only there for money and the hotdogs. Would be great if the senior umps could provide some mentoring as well as all clubs falling into line.
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Thanks christ you dont post crap replys Kirbs!! oh wait you do.
i think everything prem hangover has said makes for a good discussion the unpires do need to take control of the games more and not be enticed by the crowd,
and for willo well they do need to have a good hard look at themselves and punish that reserves player for ruining of what has been made out to be a good game of football untill then.
Call me old fashioned but surely a simple way to avoid allegations of favouratism or bias to sides (umpires supplied from clubs) is to have umpires not umpiring at the clubs that has signed them. Umpires from other clubs go to teams theyre not playing…would stop a lot of abuse, bias, and allegations of one sided decisions…not rocket science…there are some teams where club officials are the umpires…one club last year (nth of the river) had their Vice President umpiring…was obviously biased and hard not to be…pick it up WAAFL and do something..also, start imposing big monetary fines for clubs breaking rules, most clubs would be smashed if they had to pay a $2000 fine, seems the WAAFL is a bit of a toothless machine as this has been going on for eons..
its been a debate for years big bad bazza, comlpetely agree that neutral umpires are the answer buts its not logistically feesible for the guys who put their hand up for club impiring as they do it for the love of the club etc.