HAWTHORN co-captain James Sicily and defender Tom Barrass have been fined $10,000 and $5,000 respectively for abusing an umpire in the ugly aftermath of Saturday night's thrilling preliminary final loss to Brisbane.
Sicily and Barrass could be seen engaging demonstratively with Umpire Hayden Meyer immediately following the full-time siren, after the Hawks had given up a lead in the final minute of the game to lose by nine points.
The Match Review Officer has cited both players with 'Other Misconduct' after determining a charge of 'Abusive Language Towards in Umpire' and subsequent fine would have been inadequate.
"Both Sicily and Barrass have been charged with 'Engaging in Any Other Act of Misconduct' ... the sanction for such an offence is at the absolute discretion of the Match Review Officer, who has determined a $10,000 fine is payable by Sicily, and a $5,000 fine is payable by Barrass with no reduction available for an early guilty plea," the MRO said in a statement.
"The Match Review Officer has determined that the matters do not constitute the Fixed Financial Offence of 'Abusive Language Towards in Umpire' given the prescribed sanction for that Fixed Financial Offence is inadequate in all the circumstances and does not reflect the seriousness of Sicily or Barrass' actions.
"The AFL will make no further comment on these matters pending the finalisation of them, noting the charges may be challenged at the AFL Tribunal by Sicily and or Barrass."
The MRO has also confirmed the news from earlier on Sunday that Brisbane star Lachie Neale has copped a one-match ban, meaning he will miss the Grand Final unless the Lions can overturn the ban this week.
The incident between the Hawks players and Umpire Meyer came shortly before the match officials had bottles and cans thrown at them as they left the ground.
Field umpires Meyer, Brett Rosebury, Nathan Williamson and Jacob Mollison had to take evasive action as projectiles were thrown at them as they walked towards the race, including one bottle that appeared to come from the top level of the grandstand.
The Lions won a thrilling contest after winning a holding the ball decision inside their forward 50, with Hugh McCluggage kicking the game-winning goal with just seconds remaining.
The officials ruled that Hawks defender Jarman Impey did not make an attempt to dispose of the ball when he had one arm free in the tackle and therefore awarded a free kick to the Lions.
Hawthorn supporters at the ground also protested a late insufficient intent decision against Mitch Lewis, and a high tackle on Lions veteran Dayne Zorko, in the thrilling closing stages of the game.
Earlier this year, Greater Western Sydney half-back Lachie Ash was fined twice in the space of a month for using abusive language towards an umpire.
Ash was charged with misconduct in the round 19 game against Essendon in July and fined $5000. Four weeks later, the Giant was cited again, this time charged with abusing an umpire against West Coast and fined $1000.
Elsewhere, the MRO determined Hawk Jai Newcombe had no case to answer for his collision with Neale at the opening ball up of the game. You can read the MRO's full statement below.
MRO statement on Sicily-Barrass incident
The incident involving Hawthorn’s James Sicily, Tom Barrass and Umpire Hayden Meyer from the Fourth Quarter of Saturday night’s match was reviewed by the Match Review Officer. Both Sicily and Barrass have been charged with “Engaging in Any Other Act of Misconduct” per the table of Fixed Financial Offences in Appendix 1 to the AFL Regulations. The sanction for such an offence is at the absolute discretion of the Match Review Officer, who has determined a $10,000 fine is payable by Sicily, and a $5,000 fine is payable by Barrass with no reduction available for an early guilty plea.
The Match Review Officer has determined that the matters do not constitute the Fixed Financial Offence of ‘Abusive Language Towards in Umpire’ given the prescribed sanction for that Fixed Financial Offence is inadequate in all the circumstances and does not reflect the seriousness of Sicily or Barrass’ actions.
The AFL will make no further comment on these matters pending the finalisation of them, noting the charges may be challenged at the AFL Tribunal by Sicily and or Barrass.
MRO statement on Newcombe-Neale incident
The incident involving Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe and Brisbane’s Lachie Neale from the First Quarter of Saturday night’s match was assessed by the Match Review Officer.
At a centre ball-up Newcombe is jostling for position with Josh Dunkley on one side of the centre circle whilst Neale is jostling with Josh Ward on the opposite side. As the ball comes off the ruck contest, Dunkley pushes Newcombe whilst Ward simultaneously pushes Neale as they position themselves to contest the ball which results in Newcombe making contact with Neale.
It was the view of the MRO that there were circumstances outside of Newcombe’s control and that his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances and did not constitute a reportable offence. Nor did the MRO consider that Newcombe elected to bump Neale.
It was also the view of the MRO that the pushes from both Dunkley and Ward were not unreasonable in the circumstances and neither player committed a reportable offence. No further action was taken.
