Double woe for Greene
THE AFL has issued a strong message to its players that disrespect for umpires will not be tolerated after GWS Giants star Toby Greene’s threeweek-suspension was doubled on Thursday.
At an AFL appeals board hearing, the league successfully argued Greene’s initial threematch ban was “manifestly inadequate” for making “aggressive” contact with umpire Matt Stevic at three quarter-time of the elimination final. The panel – of board chairman
Murray Kellam, David Jones and Wayne Henwood – agreed and said umpires needed to be protected at all levels.
“Respect for umpires is at the heart of the integrity of the game … the player implausibly maintained that he was trying to avoid contact with the umpire,” Kellam said in his verdict. “Umpires at all levels have to know that this is the position and that they can carry out their vital function with confidence. The image, integrity and the reputation of Australian football must be protected.
“That can only happen if players at all levels act responsibly and honour their obligations to the umpires.”
Giants football boss Jason McCartney said the club accepted the ruling and considered the matter closed.
“As we said at the time, as a club we maintain that umpires are sacrosanct,” he said.
“We understand the important role they play in our game and they are to be respected at all times. Toby apologised for his actions.
“He is remorseful for the incident that occurred and understands the responsibility he has to umpires specifically, and the game more broadly.
“We accept the suspension and consider the matter finalised.”
Earlier at the hearing, AFL legal counsel Jeff Gleeson QC argued the initial ban was far too lenient.
“The look is terrible, if anything Greene leans in (to Stevic),” Gleeson said during proceedings. “Three weeks is not enough. The message that needs to be communicated to Mr Greene, and all players and participants and viewers and umpires and prospective umpires, is you simply do not aggressively touch an umpire.”
Greene’s counsel, Ben Ihle QC, conceded his client was aggressive in his approach but said the AFL could not determine his state of mind at the time of the incident. He also argued a three-week ban was already a “very, very significant” ban.
“Contact occurred while seeking to demonstrate he was displeased with the call, he was challenging the decision,” Ihle said. “When one looks at those reasons they are at least a state of mind of recklessness.”
The six-week ban is a huge blow for the Giants, who will be without their star forward for the first five weeks of the season.
Greene has already served one week of his ban, which was the semi-final loss to Geelong.