78 SPORT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019 HERALDSUN.COM.AU TICKETS TO THE 2019 SUPERFOOTY PODCAST TOYOTA AFL GRAND FINAL WILL BUDDY BE REMEMBERED LISTEN NOW TAKE OUR FOOTY FANS SURVEY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN BEST AS A HAWK OR A SWAN? ANDO HOST ROBBO BT WIN HAVE YOUR SAY AT HERALDSUN.COM.AU SAM EDMUND HERALDSUN.COM.AU SUPERFOOTY PODCAST BROUGHT TO YOU BY Jeff’s wake

62 SPORT TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2019 HERALDSUN.COM.AU Stratton faces suspension, fine for breaches HAWTHORN captain Ben JAY CLARK “Under the guidelines, more than $5000 for the that is likely to cost Stratton at elbowing Giant Matt Buntine Stratton will face the AFL pinching is a fixed financial pinching barrage that left least one match on the side- on Sunday because of insuf- Tribunal tonight accused of their clash against Sydney at sanction,” Christian said. Fantasia’s left arm badly lines. ficient force. pinching Essendon’s Orazio the SCG on Friday night. “But after much consider- bruised in Essendon’s 19-point Stratton used his left foot to Buntine played on and was Fantasia up to eight times. The tribunal charge has ation, given the number (of win last Friday night. stomp on Shaun McKernan’s not hurt. Match review officer Mi- allowed the AFL to make a pinches) and multiple times we Christian said yesterday the right foot, angering the Essen- Christian said Brown’s chael Christian said yesterday strong stand on Stratton’s had evidence of pinching, it Stratton case was the first clear don forward, who remonstrat- elbow on Buntine was not he had considered fining behaviour against Essendon, was decided the most appro- instance of pinching he had ed with the defender. forceful enough to warrant Stratton $1500 for each pinch. classifying his aggravating priate action was to charge Ben seen in two years. “Under the guidelines, it a sanction. up callBut ultimately he handed it methods as unacceptable and under the serious misconduct He said “there was no clear (stomping) is an automatic “He raised his arm, his fore- over to the tribunal so Stratton unsportsmanlike. provisions, which means a evidence” of Stratton pinching referral straight to the arm hit the ball and then slid could explain the repeat The match review staff direct referral to the tribunal. livewire Char- tribunal,” Christian said. up off the ball and made high nature of his behaviour. examined the game from all “It’s not viewed upon very lie Cameron three weeks ago, North Melbourne’s Ben contact with Matt Buntine,” Stratton also faces a one- camera angles. They found well at all. It’s not something despite claims the Hawk used Brown is free to take on Col- Christian said. match suspension for stomp- Stratton pinched Orazio as we like to see in the game.” similar tactics against him. lingwood on Saturday week. “But in terms of the impact, ing, as the Hawks prepare for many as eight times. Stratton could face a fine of But it’s the stomping charge Brown was cleared of it was insufficient.”

Hawks skipper Ben Stratton Pinch-gate pinches Orazio Fantasia at Marvel Stadium on Friday night, leaving the Bomber’s and Jeff arm covered in bruises MICHAEL WARNER (right). Pictures: AAP gaffe cap ugly week for Hawks A 15-MINUTE phone call with AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan prompted Haw- thorn president Jeff Kennett to AFL apologise for comments he made about security staff at SCRAPPY TEAM DAILY Marvel Stadium. AT HAWTHORN WAKE UP TO THE A MISERABLE weekend for at AFL headquarters yester- Stadium as “new arrivals’’ and using race to attack the secur- Stratton’s name for Kennett’s. Hawthorn on the field was CHIEF day. said those patrolling the ity and, by extension, the AFL? “Jeff is a very respected LATEST FOOTY NEWS eclipsed by utter stupidity off it. FOOTBALL A balance has to be found crowds and judging behaviour The mob is already up in figure at our football club, but A defiant Kennett hit the The Hawks lost to Essen- WRITER between what the orange coats had a poor knowledge of AFL. arms about being told what to his actions on Monday let him don, their season is teetering. believe to be unruly behaviour “I’m not being racist when do and how to act, and Kennett and the club down,’’ it should and their short-term future MARK and what supporters believe to I say this, but when I saw some has only added fuel. read. appears bleak. If Carlton can ROBINSON be barracking. of the footage, the people who Just imagine if it was Eddie “His behaviour was cer- FROM 7AM prise away , It’s agreed that the use of Fs are making judgments while McGuire and not Kennett who tainly not reflective of how then bleak becomes dark. and Cs is unacceptable, but at they wear these authoritative offered such provocative Hawthorn plays and, as our Yesterday’sCaptain Ben Stratton will heavy for him. Or he’s a bully. the same timeHerald we can’t have coats are not people whoSuncommentary. Ed would. be president, we expect more airwaves early yesterday to face the tribunal tonight and Or he’s both. a fan told to sit down and stop appear to have a great know- front-page news. from him. plead guilty to pinching and It was stupid, but arguably barracking, which one woman ledge of our game,’’ Kennett The AFL would be bewil- “We will work with Jeff to stomping. not the most stupid action to claimed happened to her at the told 3AW. dered by Kennett’s comments. ensure that this sort of behav- The club has already con- come out of Hawthorn after its weekend. “And yet they make judg- Maybe even the Hawks. iour is not repeated. HERALDSUN.COM.AU demned Stratton’s actions, the loss to the Bombers. That is ridiculous. ments about what’s correct After the Stratton incidents, “This is not the sort of thing footy world jumped on, and to- That prize goes to club Enter Kennett. Whenever and what’s not correct. They chief executive Justin Reeves he or we want to be known for, declare he wouldn’t be “driven night will be more about what president Jeff Kennett. anyone starts a sentence with, are new arrivals to Australia, it issued a statement that said, in and he understands the need Stratton says to explain him- Supporter angst is real and “I’m not being racist when appears. We don’t know that effect, the behaviour of the to adjust his behaviour moving self rather than the penalty. can’t be ignored, so much so I say this, but .... ’’, well, it’s al- and they could be born here.” skipper didn’t align with the forward.” The frustration of being a that AFL boss Gillon McLach- ways going to get interesting. How does that in any way values of the Family Club. It won’t happen, of course, first-year captain in a strug- lan and Marvel Stadium chief The president described the help the current combustible Reeves should issue the but maybe it should. gling team might be just too executive Michael Green met security staff at Marvel situation, a club president same statement, swapping [email protected] into the ground by some sort of accept responsibility, andMHSE01Z01MA - V1 political correctness”. that’s what I’ve done.” But by mid-morning, and He said McLachlan had not after a chat with McLachlan, forced him into the backdown. Kennett conceded he had got it “We spoke for about 10 or 15 wrong on Monday by suggest- minutes,” Kennett said. ing some security at AFL “He didn’t ask me to grounds were “new arrivals” apologise nor did he insist who didn’t “appear to have a upon it, but on reflection it was great knowledge of our game”. the right thing to do.” McLachlan yesterday con- Asked if he accepted that his demned the comments, but comments could be considered said no action would be taken “racial stereotyping”, Kennett against the former Victorian said: “I can see how people premier. would draw that conclusion.” “I’ve spoken to Jeff today president and told him I clearly believe Peter Gordon said Kennett’s that he’s wrong and I know Jeff comments were divisive. regrets his comments,” “It’s really disappointing … McLachlan said. “People want as a general guide for Jeff and to be judged on the perform- for everyone else, if you’re ance in their roles, not their starting a sentence with, ‘I’m origin or background.” not being racist but … ’, chan- Kennett told the Herald Sun ces are you’re about to say he realised his mistake after something racist, so better just IT’S GOOD TO a day of reflection. not to do it,” Gordon told SEN. “I apologise. It’s not what McLachlan said the league I meant, but it’s how it came had the power to sanction out,” Kennett said. Kennett under Rule 35. HEAR YOUR “I’ve been a defender of the “But that requires a com- cause for so long it doesn’t plaint, and that’s not what’s matter, but it was inappropri- happened here,” he said. ate and the best thing to do was [email protected] VOICE, GILL

IN the end, this was about Marvel Stadium was just too on the bigger issue of fan communication. CHIEF much. concerns. CONIGLIO TRADE BLOW The AFL has to communi- FOOTBALL The take-out yesterday was Hopefully, everyone can JEFF Kennett may have focused on diversity and cate more with its fans. WRITER a commitment from McLach- move forward — together. ruined Hawthorn’s hopes of inclusion and Jeff Kennett’s The stadium operators need lan to listen to the fans and to That lack of togetherness snatching prized free agent comments serve to to communicate more with the MARK “get the balance right” to between those at headquarters Stephen Coniglio from undermine the efforts of a lot AFL when they are changing ensure the fans feel safe and and those in the grandstands is Greater Western Sydney. of people within the game their security approach and ROBINSON free from intimidation. one of the reasons why yester- Giants chief executive and at community level,” certainly need to tell their He also promised the day was promoted as a fever- David Matthews said Matthews said yesterday. security staff to chill out. The AFL didn’t read the “behavioural officers’’ would pitch press conference. Coniglio, who is an AFL “They were offensive and And the security staff absol- temperature in the stands or back off. It wasn’t anything of the multicultural ambassador, the irony is they came from utely have to be better with the listen to the fear and anger on “My personal opinion is sorts, despite a worthy press would not be impressed by the leader of a club that gets fans. talkback radio until the issue they’re not right and they group throwing bombs. the Hawks president’s gaffe linked to having an interest The central point yesterday became volcanic. should go,’’ he said. The learnings for the AFL about security officers at in our vice-captain, Stephen when Gillon McLachlan And when fans speak of Observers can judge are evident, that McLachlan, Marvel Stadium. Coniglio. fronted the media was a feeling intimidated by security McLachlan harshly or not after and by extension football boss The Hawks are one of “Well, good luck selling positive one: Safety. staff, there is a serious issue. addressing the situation Steve Hocking, have to be several clubs linked with the yourself to a person of But somewhere along the The optics of fans being yesterday. Some will say he more visible. 25-year-old midfielder. Stephen’s character.” line over the past two weeks it asked out of seats on Friday didn’t entertain the nitty gritty, McLachlan needs to put his “At the Giants we are very JON RITSON became a shemozzle. night and Saturday night at others would say he delivered head up more when issues

MHSE02Z01MA - V1 HERALDSUN.COM.AU WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019 SPORT 79 TICKETS TO THE 2019 SUPERFOOTY PODCAST SCOTT GULLAN TOYOTA AFL GRAND FINAL WILL BUDDY BE REMEMBERED LISTEN THE NOW TAKE OUR FOOTY FANS SURVEY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN BEST AS A HAWK OR A SWAN? ANDO HOST ROBBO BT SCORE WIN HAVE YOUR SAY AT HERALDSUN.COM.AU SAM EDMUND HERALDSUN.COM.AU SUPERFOOTY PODCAST BROUGHT TO YOU BY email [email protected] GOT A TIP? tweet @gullanheraldsun

AFL chief executive Gillon Critics Kerr-unched McLachlan faces the media FORMER West Coast ace close”, but Sam revealed in yesterday; and is flying the flag a chat with former Western (far left) Hawks for his sister SAM at the Bulldogs captain BOB president Jeff Women’s World Cup in MURPHY on his Fox Footy Kennett doubles France. show Bob that she didn’t down on his And he’s doing it in style, speak to Daniel for two years. comments about A security guard is ushered as evidenced by a video The Eagles premiership security workers away in Sunday’s North showing him slugging a pint star had a number of off-field at AFL matches Melbourne-GWS clash. while wearing a T-shirt incidents late in his career, (inset). Pictures: featuring his sister’s famous then spent five nights in AAP, CHANNEL 7 quote (below) after the prison in 2014, a year after UMPIRE Matildas’ victory against his retirement. Brazil. “I didn’t speak to him for Sam Kerr hit out at critics two years and he always SAVES after the 3-2 win last week at says, ‘The thing that brought the World Cup, telling them me back on to the road was to “suck on that one”. that everyone spoke to me THE DAY The siblings are “super- except you’,” Sam said. “And I just needed that JON RALPH reassurance that things were going to go back to STAY in your lane. That will normal, and that’s be the demand to Blundstone what hurt me the Arena’s security guards after most is that an extraordinary “near miss” when you during Sunday’s North do things Melbourne-Greater Western that Sydney clash. affect A casual security guard yourself, it will not be sacked but instead also affects counselled on protocol after other people. he tried to break up an on- “I had to watch field scuffle between North Mum and Dad be captain Jack Ziebell and stressed out about their Giants backman . 30-year-old son, which As he approached the pair, isn’t normal. Seeing my he was told by umpire Nathan parents have to deal Williamson to move back. with it was probably Cricket Tasmania chief the hardest thing.” Nick Cummins said yesterday the incident had been reviewed by arena officials and he was sure it would not be repeated. He CATS GO TO COACH GURU could not remember a similar IT’S an audience with the coaching messiah. incident in his 20 years in Coaches from far and wide, including overseas, sports administration. continue to make the trek to AAMI Park and the door “I cannot think of this of Melbourne Storm coach CRAIG BELLAMY. happening before in any sport Two of the AFL’s best young coaches took the in Australia. He is a casual opportunity on Saturday night. With Geelong having the security guard, he’s not full- bye, assistants and COREY ENRIGHT time,” Cummins said. spent time in Storm’s inner sanctum as the purple haze “The contractors use him dismantled Newcastle Knights. for the weekend, so possibly They were joined in the box by New Zealand rugby he didn’t understand his role great WAYNE SMITH, who has visited a number of times. was to keep people off the Hawthorn coach ALASTAIR CLARKSON keeps regular counsel with Bellamy. Other AFL coaches to have picked venue, not get involved in his brain on match day include Collingwood’s NATHAN things on the arena. BUCKLEY and St Kilda’s ALAN RICHARDSON. “Straight after the game Former Adelaide coach NEIL CRAIG was in Storm’s we met with the AFL and coach’s box for the Anzac Day game and ex-Melbourne EPS, the security company, to Victory coach KEVIN MUSCAT has also appeared. understand how and why. “There hasn’t been any directive from the AFL to increase our security and this incident and what has been Amy magic rubs off going on at Marvel are quite different.” IN January, US Open They have since kept in Venue operator, Cricket winner GARY WOODLAND touch and, after his US Open Tasmania, confirmed the had a moment with Special win on Monday, Woodland security company, Elite Olympics golfer AMY made a FaceTime call to fester, like this one. people in light of the Protective Services, was BOCKERSTETTE that warmed Bockerstette. “I used your Hocking, too. past two weeks. being used for the first time hearts around the golf world. positive energy today. You When the country It needs to happen. for AFL games in Hobart Bockerstette, who has were awesome,” he told her. was rabid about Dane Fundamentally, it’s after a successful season Down syndrome, and Bockerstette was the star Rampe climbing the goal about keeping fans safe, providing security for Big Woodland played the at the 16th in January. post, Hocking remained keeping fans informed and Bash cricket last summer. famous par-three 16th hole After hitting her tee shot silent for several days. bringing the fans along for the Cummins said the security at Scottsdale during a into a bunker, she splashed it McLachlan had his say the ride so the events of the past guards were told to be on the practice round before the out and brilliantly sunk the day after, which was clumsy. fortnight are not replicated. fence line to ensure fans did Phoenix Open. putt for par. By the Monday the issue was Because what we’ve experi- not enter the arena. in flames. enced across all levels in these “They crouch next to the Hocking might not have past two weeks has been fence and he was there and thought it was a pressing issue, McLachlan insane. the scuffle took place and he THE WHISPER nor that it needed clarification, needs to put his “What we’ve got here,’’ it shuffled over there to help WHICH sports star’s much-hyped yet the rest of the football once was said, “is a failure to and he was standing on the weight-loss program has world was having puppies. head up more communicate.’’ white line,’’ he said. “The disappeared from view after they The Herald Sun under- when issues Yesterday may ensure com- umpire said, ‘Go away, we fell off the wagon? We hear a stands there will be an internal munication is the buzz word at don’t need your help’. The business arrangement regarding the lost kilos review about the availability of fester headquarters from here on in. umpire handled it really well campaign has subsequently got messy. the sport’s two most important [email protected] ... It was a near miss.”

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