Hawthorn coach fined for critical remarks

Posted Jul 30, 2008 - 17:14 PM

Hawthorn have copped a $5000 fine for coach Alastair Clarkson’s critical and sarcastic comments about the umpiring in last week’s encounter with Geelong.

Clarkson was asked about the umpiring and responded by saying, “He’s a good player that no.17, wasn’t he?He’s a ripper.”

There was no no.17 for Geelong, which meant he was clearly referring to umpire Justin Schmitt.

AFL acting football operations manager Jill Lindsay explained that the Hawthorn Football Club has been punished for a breach of the AFL Player Regulations.

Mike McGuire