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Today from the VFL reserves we see the following reports:
Sandringham: Duran Raman (No. 9) under rule 19.2.2.(c) using abusive, threatening or obscene language towards or in relation to an umpire.
Coburg Tigers: Andrew Briggs (4) for using abusive, insulting, threatening and obscene language towards umpire
Isn't that amazing? Two on the same day - for the same thing. Looks like the orange fairies have been told to crack down on players mouthing off.
Why can't umpires act like humans? Why can't umpires actually realise there are emotions in the game?
Reporting players (and worse - suspending players) for showing frustration isn't the way we want the game to go. As supporters we want players to show passion, to show anger, to show that they are pissed off when things aren't going their way. Umpires need to understand that being on the end of frustration is part of the job.
I don't know what Raman did, but the Briggs one looked soft from what I saw and heard from the fence. I hope the VFL clear the two players, and realise that there is nothing wrong with a bit of passion in the game.
And for two incidents of the same nature on the same day - well don't you tell me that was a coincidence. It is too rare for it to happen twice in one day. Just like in the AFL, it seems "rule of the week" has been enforced.
I'm just stunned the umpires didnt report a Coburg senior player for his words at them as they walked off at the end.
