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Herald Sun
21 hours ago
- General
- Herald Sun
AFL news 2025: Umpires reportedly consider legal action against Channel 7 stars
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The umpires at the centre of the Lachie Schultz concussion saga are reportedly considering legal action against three of the highest profile pundits in footy. Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer, Justin Power and Martin Rodger have explored their legal rights regarding comments made by Kane Cornes, Luke Hodge and Dale Thomas regarding their handling of the incident that left Schultz concussed against Fremantle at Optus Stadium last month. The comments made by the three ex-players that the umpires have taken umbrage with took place on the Agenda Setters on Channel 7 on May 13. The umpires were initially accused of providing misleading information to the AFL, but were later cleared of any wrongdoing – with the league citing a miscommunication with the umpiring department. In a statement provided to Channel 9, AFL Umpires Association boss Rob Kerr said the comments heavily criticising the four cast 'aspersions' on their 'integrity and professional competence'. 'The umpires involved in the involved in the Fremantle vs Collingwood game have been advised as to their legal rights in relation to some of the commentary that followed the Lachlan Schultz concussion issue,' the statement said. 'Being falsely accused of lying and misleading the AFL goes beyond simply questioning the management of the actual incident. 'Public commentary that casts aspersions on an individual's integrity and professional competence, particularly when that is core to the role they perform, harms their personal and professional standing and it is reasonable to consider how that can be rectified.' Channel 7 was contacted for comment. The Herald Sun reported last month that the umpires told field umpires coach Michael Jennings and head of umpiring Steve McBurney that they did not see the initial bump on Schultz, but did witness the Magpies' forward struggle to his feet and show concussion symptoms in the immediate aftermath. That information was misinterpreted and triggered a damaging chain reaction when the umpire's boss McBurney spoke to football boss Laura Kane. McBurney told Kane the umpires did not see it – which referred to the initial bump from Docker Jordan Clark – rather than Schultz's concussion symptoms. The AFL then incorrectly released a statement on the day after the match saying the umpires did not see Schultz at all in the belief the information was accurate. The league confirmed play should have been stopped due to Schultz's concussion. Kane took full responsibility for the saga saying it was the league's fault, and not the four field umpires from the Collingwood win over Fremantle. 'We have determined there was a miscommunication from members of the umpiring department, not the field umpires, which formed the basis of our initial public statement on Friday,' Kane said. 'Those team members have been counselled and reminded of the importance of ensuring our process is fully followed regarding these types of incidents and in this instance it was not.'
7NEWS
a day ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
GWS Giants in the gun for taunting Tim Taranto with social media post: ‘This is not class'
The GWS Giants have again come under fire for a controversial gesture following their narrow win over Richmond on Saturday. After narrowly avoiding a huge boilover (they snuck home against the rebuilding Tigers by just three points), the Giants' social media team decided to taunt Richmond midfielder Tim Taranto, who left the Giants at the end of the 2022 season. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The social media team posted a photo of Taranto celebrating, with the score and the word 'WIN' splashed across the image. Taranto was wearing a GWS jumper. The Agenda Setters host Craig Hutchison had a serious issue with the controversial act. After applauding former GWS skipper Callan Ward (who spoke to media and his teammates despite a career-threatening injury), Hutchison said, 'That's class ... this is not class. 'He played a very good game, Taranto, but it's just cheekiness at the end of the game. Their social team have been well acclaimed over the journey ...' Collingwood premiership hero Dale Thomas said the Giants social team had been 'brilliant' over the years. 'But this has been a miss,' he said. 'I like near on everything they do. I thought the stuff that they've done around pretty much every team they come up against, has been fantastic. 'But that was a miss. 'And you take into consideration that Tim Taranto shared the plane back with Cal Ward and then drove him home and dropped him to his place of residence ... That was a miss by the Giants.' Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson agreed. 'That's poor sportsmanship,' she said. 'And they've had to apologise already once this year for that banner with the Sydney Swans.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
AFL world erupts after Luke Hodge spotted in post-match moment with Cyril Rioli
Cyril Rioli was spotted catching up with Hawthorn premiership teammate Luke Hodge after the Hawks and Suns' AFL game in Darwin on Thursday night. And it marked an important step for Rioli after Hodge recently revealed he hadn't been able to contact the Hawks great for a number of years. Rioli declined an invitation to attend Hawthorn's training session on Wednesday in Darwin where he lives, and is still largely estranged from the club due to allegations of racism. But he did make a surprise appearance at the game on Thursday night. Rioli was spotted in the crowd with wife Shannyn, who were there to watch Rioli's cousins Daniel Rioli and Ben Long. The 2015 Norm Smith medallist was spotted clapping when Gold Coast scored a goal, and wasn't wearing any Hawthorn gear. AFL fans and commentators were delighted to see Rioli there, and even more so when he was spotted having a chat to former captain Hodge after the game. "I hadn't seen him since about 2018," Hodge told Channel 7 after his catch-up with Rioli. "I saw Mark Evans (Gold Coast SEO) talking to him so I just wanted to go over and say g'day. It was good. He's looking great and had a smile on his face. He said his cousin was flying out there running across the halfback line. It was great to see him and Shannyn over there." Earlier this month, Hodge revealed he'd tried multiple times to get into contact with Rioli to no avail. It came after Rioli chose not to attend Hawthorn's centenary celebrations at the MCG. Rioli was one of a number of people who levelled allegations of racism against the club, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement last year. There was no determination of fault, but Hawthorn issued an apology. "We understand that Hawthorn and Cyril haven't come to the stage where Cyril feels comfortable back in the football club just yet," Hodge said on Channel 7 program 'Agenda Setters'. "But time heals all wounds and we're hoping it gets to that stage with Cyril. "I haven't been able to speak to Cyril. I have reached out. We went to Darwin (where he lives) in 2020. I tried to call didn't get anything back from him. "There's been a number of guys that have reached out to Cyril. And we left on really good terms. When he retired he sent me a message saying 'thanks for all the development and help'. I've had no issues with Cyril ever, but it's almost like he's parted ways with everyone there. Even a lot of the mentors in that forward line (at the time he played) haven't been able to connect with him either." Rioli still hasn't been back at the club properly, but his attendance at Thursday night's game marked an important step in many people's eyes. Former teammate Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy: 'Geez he was a good player. If you ever saw Cyril one out on the wing, you would just kick it in his direction. We would love to have seen a lot more of him." Fellow premiership teammate Shaun Burgoyne said: 'It is a great thing Cyril being back at the footy. As a Hawthorn great, Hawthorn people love seeing him involved. 'Getting back to the footy is the first step for him. We'll get him to enjoy watching Hawthorn play again. I'm not sure if it is on behalf of Hawthorn that he is here or if it is on his own accord ... but the fans still love him and it is good to see him back here watching the footy.' RELATED: Luke Darcy makes sad family admission after quitting media roles Outpouring of messages over news about Ollie Wines and partner The Suns led by 32 points in the second quarter on Thursday night, but then trailed by three at the final break. However Damien Hardwick's side eventually prevailed 16.8 (104) to 15.6 (96) at TIO Stadium. It improved Gold Coast's record to 8-0 at the venue, putting them second on the live ladder at 7-2, ahead of the fourth-placed Hawks (7-3). Cyril seems like he is caught btw a rock & a hard place with the hawks but seems genuinely happy to connect with Hodgey. — jk06 (@jk06OZ) May 15, 2025 I love u Cyril — mordecai (@mitchy_mac_hok) May 15, 2025 Love it. Seemed to be supporting Gold Coast, but hopefully we can get him interested in being around the club — viewsfromthenosebleeds (@viewsfromtheno1) May 15, 2025
7NEWS
14-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Umpire leaked audio crisis explodes as AFL promises review of communication breakdown
The AFL is in crisis mode over the miscommunication between the umpires and headquarters following the Lachie Schultz concussion incident last Thursday. The league says they will comprehensively review the situation but they have been in a war of words with the umpires following a series of confusing statements. 7NEWS sports presenter Theo Doropoulos has said it's the 'self-inflicted blow that's left the league's footy boss red faced'. Channel 7's The Agenda Setters broke the bombshell news on Tuesday that the umpires were aware that Schultz was in trouble in the middle of the ground during Collingwood's clash with Fremantle last Thursday. The Agenda Setters had the fresh umpire audio confirming that scenario, but on Friday last week the league claimed, via a statement, that the umpires at the centre of the concussion controversy didn't see the motionless Schultz. As it turns out, that statement was wrong and on Wednesday AFL football boss Laura Kane issued another statement, the AFL's third on the matter. 'Our process in determining what happened Thursday night failed and for that we take full responsibility,' Kane said. 'Today we have determined there was a miscommunication from members of the umpiring department, not the field umpires, which formed the basis of our initial public statement on Friday. 'Those team members have been counselled and reminded of the importance of ensuring our process is fully followed regarding these types of incidents and in this instance it was not. 'I have asked GM Football Performance Josh Mahoney to review these processes to ensure the right information is communicated and to ensure this does not happen again. 'Everyone, including our umpires are aligned in ensuring the health and safety of players continues to be the utmost priority and the AFL has been in regular contact with the AFLUA today.' Collingwood executive general manager of football Charlie Gardiner said the situation was bewildering. 'I have been a little bit surprised with some of the internal communications but from our perspective it doesn't change our position on the night that play should've been stopped,' he said. The whole ordeal has left a bitter taste in the mouths of umpires. But all four umpires at the centre of the drama are listed to officiate in matches in Round 10. Simon Meredith (Collingwood v Adelaide), Craig Fleer (Port Adelaide v Geelong), Martin Rodger (Essendon v Western Bulldogs), and Justin Power (Sydney v Carlton) will all be in action this weekend.
7NEWS
13-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Dean Cox's Sydney Swans lose long-time aura in 10 weeks: ‘Witches hats'
Serious questions are being asked about Dean Cox's Sydney Swans after another loss on Saturday that saw last year's grand finalist slump to 14th on the ladder. It's a nightmare season for the first-year coach who was has been missing important stars and role players, but also failing to get his team to play competitive football for four quarters during games. In the game against Essendon, Sydney stormed home at Marvel Stadium but, like the recent game at the SCG against Port Adelaide, they couldn't get their nose in front when the final siren sounded. In the game against Gold Coast, it was a different story, with the Swans starting hot, but then allowing the Suns to run over the top of them, coughing up a 29-point lead and losing by 38 points. Speaking on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters, AFL legend Nick Riewoldt said it was 'too simple' to just look at Sydney's missing personnel and say that's why they're underperforming. 'We know they've been decimated by injuries but, I mean, so have a lot of teams,' Riewoldt said, and pointed to Collingwood who just defeated Fremantle without several key players. The Agenda Setters host Craig Hutchison also compared last year's stats to this year's, and said Sydney's 'decline on the numbers is stark'. Last year Sydney was first for 'points for', this year they are 14th. Last year they were third from 'points from clearances', now they are 15th, last year they were first for 'points from forward half intercept', now they 18th, last year they were second for 'score per inside forward 50', now they are 18th. Sydney also had Errol Gulden (injured), Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney dominating the 'score involvements' table last year, whereas this year Warner is the only Swans player in the top 10 of that key stat. Another key part of the Swans' game last year was hanging tough for four quarters. In fact, in a game against Essendon last years, Sydney forward Tom Papley famously had a dig at the Bombers after the game, saying: 'We love footy being tough but you gotta do it four quarters.' That swag and four-quarter heart is now nowhere to be seen this year. 'So it's fallen apart at the moment for Dean Cox in the post John Longmire era,' Riewoldt said. 'And you wonder whether the deviation from what they stood for a long time means ... Sydney were always hard to play against, but they've lost that aura now in 10 weeks (under Cox).' Riewoldt showed vision of Essendon — who are also dealing with significant injuries — running the ball from one end of the ground to the other against Sydney. 'As long as I've been involved in football, you go right back to the Paul Roos days, Sydney sides have always been hard to play on. 'That's almost kind of gone hand in hand with the Bloods culture. But this is just 'witches hat' stuff against the side that, you know, they want to possess the footy .... 'But if you're not prepared to bring the work boots, apply pressure and have some sort of defensive system behind the football, then you're going to get punished, and that's exactly what happened.' Essendon were also plus-110 in uncontested possession on Saturday. It is equal the second biggest differential against a Sydney team since 2006. Kane Cornes said part of the problem was due to Sydney's list, which had high-end talent but dropped away sharply. 'I think it's a warning for other clubs,' Cornes said. 'When you pay your top end too much of the salary cap, and then some of those get injured, you are left with not much.' 'You're left with (Joel) Hamling, you're left with (Aaron) Francis, you're left with (Caiden) Cleary, Corey Warner, and (Ben) Paton who couldn't get a game for the Saints. '(That's) because all of your salary cap is in those six players.' The top-end talent Cornes is referring to are Nick Blakey, Gulden, Chad Warner, Heeney, Papley and Callum Mills. Cox also refuses to give midfielder Angus Sheldrick a good run, despite the fact he racks up bigger numbers in a quarter (he's been either subbed on or subbed out in every game he's played this season) than other strugglers who are seemingly being gifted games each week. 'If you took out Geelong's four out their six highest paid players, they'd be able to cover the situation better, because they don't commit to so much of the cap,' Cornes said.
