We’re a bunch of sooks at Hawthorn

We throw lots of stuff at Umps

We’re from private schools and we never lose

Showing our kids what we do at Hawthorn

 

This is not the HFL, it’s the AFL and that behaviour after the Prelim last night was an absolute disgrace. It’s OUR game, not yours and we don’t like it.

How entitled and spineless were those idiots throwing bottles and cans at umpires?

This is not an Eastern Bloc soccer game! This is the greatest game in the world that is ours, no one else’s. And that, you RM Williams outfitted cowards, was one of the greatest games in history.

Of course you have the right to get emotional but that behaviour belongs overseas where supporters are separated at the ground. Not here. In 63 years I’ve never seen that.

The Impey decision was brave and correct.

Just a reminder to the Country Road checked shirt brigade in the crowd, your forward Lewis took one of the great marks earlier, but somehow you failed to not see Gunston shove Andrews fair and square in the back at the same time. Just a minor oversight I suppose.

Your shameless actions couldn’t have come at a worse time for our grass roots football.

Our junior, suburban and country leagues are screaming out for umpires. Umpires in these lower leagues are often ‘doubling’ and ‘tripling’ up on weekends for little or no remuneration.

How on earth are we supposed to recruit kids into what is genuinely a very rewarding role as an umpire when they see examples like that on their screens?

Umpiring is difficult, especially when the AFL are constantly changing things. The speed of the game isn’t appreciated enough by many fans. You have to put yourself in their shoes and maybe that starts with enrolling to be a volunteer umpire at your local club.

The AFL can stop being reactive to all things to do with umpiring and rule out a lot of the conjecture by posting some videos of what is and what isn’t a rule transgression. It can go to the networks and on line so it’s accessible any time.

Those responsible for throwing the rubbish will hopefully be found on camera and banned for life.

The Hawthorn players who charged at the umpire at the end of the game need significant fines, not a slap on the wrist.

Hawthorn needs to come out and fine themselves. They can donate the money directly to the umpiring associations at ground level, not the AFL or it will end up funding their Xmas party.

For the ‘brave’ fans who felt it was OK to bring the game into disrepute, I’m sure you’ve come to the realisation now that the Jarman Impey decision was the correct one, so can I suggest you catch up with Jarman on the street or at Dingley and throw a bottle at him? See what response you get then.

The AFL, well they will probably soft shoe shuffle their way around it. That remains to be seen but I wouldn’t expect the Hawks to be reprimanded. Too many lawyers to deal with.

Maybe this generation accepts that this is the way of the world? Maybe they’ve seen worse on line? Maybe they’re entitled to be disrespectful to whoever they want? Who knows?

What I will say is, I might be old but that behaviour doesn’t belong in OUR game. Pull your heads in, get on the Glen Waverley and Camberwell lines, suck it up and remember you’re not living in Gaza.

You’re going home to extreme comfort at the end of the day. Show some gratitude and remember, it’s just a game.