TOPIC:

Given two matches were called off this weekend (including a B Grade game!) it suggests that the Committee's of all clubs need to step up to the plate and take a stance.

Just as it is unacceptable for players or supporters to racially abuse other players, it is unacceptable for coaches, players or supporters to accept conduct which is not in the spirit of the game.

CLUBS should adopt a hard line stance and ban players and spectators found guilty of acts of thuggery in a serious attempt to stamp out violence in Amateur Football.

The WAAFL should consider fines and loss of premiership points, in addition to suspending the player, in instances of extreme offending, particularly where it involves supporters entering the field of play or players involved in late hits and off the ball brawls.

Automatic investigation of all these type of incidents is required and penalties need to be given to clubs if it is obvious that no real duty of care considerations are provided for opposition teams and supporters.

I concur Al. Absolutely unacceptable that there can be games called off as a result of thugs who think they are bigger than the game. WAAFL should adopt a loss of points policy which will definitely get clubs acting on poor behaviour!

I attended a game on Saturday and the abuse of the umpires was just a joke. Banter is one thing but this degenerated into crude personal abuse. When a small group of ignorant supporters just indulge in this type off unrelenting abuse particularly when they are very close to the boundary it often ends up being played out on the field.

Doesn't take much for a club to get control of the situation by telling them to shut up or better still that they are not welcome.

Calling off a game should always be a last resort in my book. Was it warranted to abandon the game Hawk Eye?

Was at the BCL v Willo game.

From the way I see it umpires with the WAAFL are trying to stamp out violence all together and there is a no tolerance approach.

Facts from the incident:
1: two players engaged in push and shove (happens 5 times a game, nothing serious at all)
2: a Willo supporter (reserves player) entered the field of play (plain clothes)
3: the said incident occurred 5 meters infront of the Willo bench
4: not one punch was thrown
5: neither team on field engaged in a fight
6: the teams both huddled whilst the captains talked to the umpires
7: the umpire called 'game off' as soon as the supporter step foot on the field
8: both teams and coaches wanted the game to continue
9: the supporter who ran on the field was told to leave and did so within 5 mins of the incident
10: everyone was in a state of shock with what had happened

From what I believe the umpire whom called the game off was 'king hit' by a spectaitor, whilst umpiering a game some years ago.

Obviously the WAAFL are cracking down on these incidents. Will be interesting to see the outcome of this one

Crowd behaviour is an issue across all grades. In a few games I went to last year the teams were penalised with 50’s (some resulted in goals) due to spectator abuse which came from supporters standing in proximity to the bench. In addition the umpires were abused as they left the field of play at full time, disgraceful.

Obviously a disappointing result for the players in the BCl v Willo match but one would think that the supporter at the centre of this incident should be made an example of by his club. As you say Billy Bevan, a no tolerance approach gets the message across pretty quick, especially if backed by the club/peers of the individual.

Big Al, pretty sure fines etc do already exist for these types of offences. Perhaps the WAAFL need to publicise penalties handed to clubs or individuals as part of a education in consequences for these types of actions.

Billy Bevan wrote: 2: a Willo supporter (reserves player) entered the field of play (plain clothes)

Hopefully Willeton have provided the name of this person to the League. They should expect a 12g + ban.

Hear hear, Dicky Boy.
The said Reserves player should be banned from all grounds for the entire season.
Gutless act and should have a zero tolerance by umpires, officials and particularly his represented club.

I think because of an incident that happened last season between Nollamara and Osborne Park is what kicked off a no tolerance view in amatuer footy. It got media attention and I believe the WAAFL weren't too happy. Maybe because of the incident, games are getting called off as soon as an altercation of dramatic proportions hapoens. I dunno, just a thought.

I don't think any club condones violence. Sure there's players with short tempers and supporters with even less but keeping a game under control is the issue here and unfortunately alot of umpires are crap at it.

Any sort of confrontation and they blatantly start screwing over that team out of spite (we've all seen it). They then wonder why supporters nearly linch them at the end of games.

Now i'm not condoning umpire abuse but cool heads should prevail in a crisis and alot of the guys in charge like pouring petrol on the fire. I don't reckon calling of games is going to sort it out.