AFL clears Bombers star over huge umpire collision
Caddy ran hard towards a contest during the Bombers' 41-point loss to Gold Coast on Saturday and collided with umpire Robert O'Gorman, who stepped into his path.
The clash came just days after the AFL announced a crackdown on players making contact with umpires, with the league threatening to suspend repeat offenders.
Caddy was cleared of wrongdoing by the match review officer (MRO) on Sunday and not mentioned at all in the findings.
The MRO occasionally adds notes to incidents that warrant further explanation.
Nate Caddy was involved in this collision with an umpire. #AFLDonsSuns pic.twitter.com/g7DmjAGInS
— AFL (@AFL) July 5, 2025
Essendon coach Scott acknowledged the AFL's concern around umpire safety, but teed off when claiming there is an easy fix to prevent incidents like the Caddy-O'Gorman collision.
"I've lost count of the number of times I've approached the AFL about moving the umpires out of the corridor," Scott said post-match.
"The last response I had from (AFL Head of Officiating) Stephen McBurney was, 'Just pretend they're invisible.'
"It would make sense if the umpires were in four quadrants on the outside of the contest, looking at the contest.
"But they insist on running into the corridor, and they're coached that way."
Scott said the incident "took the wind out of" his player.
"It took 15 minutes to get him going again," Scott said.
"Whose fault is it? Certainly not Nate Caddy's - particularly given we've put this on the agenda to move the umpires out of the corridor and they just refuse to do it."
Richmond defender Noah Balta escaped a suspension for his heavy hit on Geelong star Tom Stewart but was handed a $10,000 fine, which can be reduced to $6250 with an early plea.
Balta was charged with forceful front-on contact over the incident during the Tigers' 72-point defeat at GMHBA Stadium.
Port Adelaide's Hugh Jackson can accept a $2000 fine for kneeing Brisbane Lions veteran Dayne Zorko.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Giant's haul sinks Suns in finals-shaping victory
GWS have turned to an unlikely goal source to all but secure their AFL finals berth and ensure Gold Coast's remains firmly on ice. Harry Rowston had just one goal in 15 games before Saturday, when he booted four for the Giants in a 17.9 (111) to 11.10 (76) win at People First Stadium. Victory would have likely meant an end to the Suns' 15-year wait for a finals campaign. And they looked likely after stalling the Giants' fast start in the second term. But with the Giants chasing their own finals-clinching victory, it was the visitors who tore clear behind supreme pressure and devastatingly accurate set-shot kicking. Rowston's haul, Max Gruzewski's three majors and three other multiple goal-kickers ensured the Giants weren't exposed by the absence of injured spearheads Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer. The win was the Giants' sixth straight against their expansion rivals and 15th from their past 16 encounters. It almost certainly locks in their finals berth - the Giants' third straight under Adam Kingsley - and keeps their top-four hopes alive. The Suns' September plans remain in pencil. They likely still need at least one win from their final-round double-header - against Port Adelaide and Essendon - to play in their first post-season since their 2011 admission. Two more chances to lock in a maiden finals appearance ☀️#AFLSunsGiants — AFL (@AFL) August 16, 2025 The Suns had tidied up defensively, matched the Giants' pressure and clawed their way back from a 20-point deficit to trail by just four when Ben Ainsworth chipped through his set shot. But it all swung after a remonstrating Ben Long gave away a 50m penalty in the goal square for remonstrating over a free kick. The ball popped out the back at the other end and Darcy Jones ran into an open goal. Aaron Cadman won a free kick minutes later and the Giants had their third in the final four minutes of the half when 21-year-old Rowston marked and goaled after the siren. The margin, suddenly out to 22, stretched further with Rowston's fourth to begin the third term. Ben King's first kick of the game - midway through the third term - was pure and briefly breathed some life into the Suns. But again the Giants ran away from the bounce and replied through Gruzewski. Goals to Jake Ricciardi and Toby Bedford, awarded a free kick when officials felt Alex Davies was taking on a tackle, all but sealed the result with time left in the third term. Finn Callaghan led the Giants' midfield, while Suns star Matt Rowell was well held. The lead swelled to 45 points and shaped as a potentially damaging percentage blow to the Suns, before they kicked three late goals.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cricket world rocked by Bob Simpson news as tributes flow for legendary Aussie
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led the tributes for Bob Simpson as the cricket world pays its respects to a legendary figure who had an enormous impact on shaping the sport in the country. Simpson died in Sydney at the age of 89 after an extraordinary career as a player, captain and coach at state, national and international level. He played played 62 Tests for Australia and scored 4,689 runs in a glittering red-ball career for the national side that included 10 centuries and 27 half centuries. Simpson also took 71 wickets in his Test career and was regarded as one of the country's greatest ever slip-fielders, taking a staggering 110 catches for the national side. His average of almost one catch per innings is the greatest in Test history, outside of wicketkeepers. Simpson was just 16 when he made his first-class debut for New South Wales against Victoria, and played 257 first class matches, scoring 21,029 runs at an average of 56.22. That included 60 centuries and 100 half centuries and a top score of 359. He took 383 catches and 349 wickets at an average of 38.07 with best figures of 5-33 with his leg-spin. RIP to a true cricket legend.A Test cricketer, captain, coach and national selector - Bob Simpson was a mighty figure in Australian cricket, giving everything to our Australia extends our thoughts and sympathies to Bob's family and friends. — Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 16, 2025 Simpson made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1957. And his first century came in an Ashes Test at Old Trafford in 1964, where Simpson went on to score 311. He is one of only seven Australians to make a Test triple-century in the nation's long and proud history in the sport. Simpson formed a formidable opening partnership with the late Bill Lawry in the 1960s and was an exceptional accumulator of runs. He was also the second Australian (after Don Bradman) to make 300 in a Test, with the memorable 311 against England at Old Trafford in 1964 cementing Simpson's legendary status. RELATED: Boland responds amid calls for Lyon to lose Aussie spot in Ashes Ponting and co's 'mind-boggling' mistake as Brevis torches Aussies Huge boost for Scott Boland as Aussie great snubs Nathan Lyon He served as vice-captain of both NSW and Australia under Richie Benaud, and led the national team for the first time against South Africa in 1964 after Benaud injured himself playing grade cricket. Simpson led the team in tours of the UK, the West Indies and India, but decided to retire from representative cricket in 1965, playing his last match in Sydney against India under the captaincy of Lawry. Nine years after his retirement as a Test player, World Series Cricket divided the game and Simpson returned in 1977 at the age of 41 to lead the Australian team for Test series against India and the West Indies. After his playing career he went on to coach in five of the 10 Test-playing countries. It was his achievements as Australia's coach that Simpson was most proud of and earned him even greater respect around the cricket world. Simpson coached Australia between 1986 and 1996, a decade in which Australia emerged from a lean period to become the powerhouse of the modern game. Anthony Albanese leads tributes to Bob Simpson Prime Minister Albanese was among those to praise the incredible legacy Simpson left on Australian cricket. "Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations," the PM wrote on social media. "As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest of standards for himself and the champions he led. He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace." The Aussie team is set to mark the sad news by wearing black armbands and observing a moment's silence for the cricket legend before tonight's T20 international against South Africa in Cairns. "Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket, and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom," Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said in a statement. "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder, and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach. Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket. On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates, and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket." Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest of standards for himself and the champions he led. He will be long remembered by the game he he rest in peace. — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 16, 2025 Vale #thegodfather just trying to think who else is left from the 60s... Harvey (may he make another ton), Hoare, Lawry, Veivers,Connolly, ChappellI, Walters, Sheahan and Invers ...... crikey the list getting smaller and smaller ! — Redders Sredder (@SReddeR11) August 16, 2025 Today is a tough day for world cricket 🏏🇦🇺 . Rest in peace, Bob Simpson. You will be missed. 🙏 — Elizabeth MA 🦉 (@Elizabethma6666) August 16, 2025 Cricket Victoria would like to pay tribute to former Test player and Australian men's coach Bob Simpson, following his passing at 89. We extend our condolences to Bob's family, friends and the many staff and players he worked with. Vale. — Cricket Victoria (@cricketvictoria) August 16, 2025 Bob Simpson and Allan Border picked Australian cricket up off its knees and began the long trek back to world dominance An Australian sporting legend as a player and coachRIP Bob 🙏 — 91 03 21 22 23 24 PREMIERS 🐾🏆 (@SnoogThe) August 16, 2025 with AAP
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Former Australian cricketer, captain and coach Bob Simpson dies at age 89
SYDNEY (AP) — Bob Simpson, a former player, captain and coach and one of the most influential figures in Australian cricket, has died at the age of 89. Cricket Australia on Saturday confirmed the death of Simpson, who represented Australia in 62 tests and two one-day internationals between 1957 and 1978. Simpson scored 4,869 test runs, including 10 centuries and 27 half-centuries, and took 71 wickets, while captaining Australia in 39 tests. Simpson was just 16 when he made his first-class debut for New South Wales state against Victoria. He also coached Australia from 1986 to 1996 and under his firm and steady guidance, Australia won the 1987 World Cup, four Ashes campaigns and in 1995 the Frank Worrell Trophy, ending a 17-year drought against the West Indies. Cricket Australia said the Australian team will pay tribute to Simpson with a moment's silence before Saturday night's one-day international against South Africa at Cairns in northern Australia and will also wear black armbands. Simpson made his test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1957, and his first century came in an Ashes test at Old Trafford in 1964, when Simpson went on to score 311. He is one of only seven Australians to make a triple-century. He was also one of the greatest slip-fielders, taking 110 catches. Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson. 'Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest standards for himself and the champions he led,' Albanese wrote on X. 'He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace.' Simpson was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. 'As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach." Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird said in a statement. 'Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket." ___ AP cricket: The Associated Press
