NMFC 18

@RalphyHeraldSun Jon, what process does the AFL follow when assessing 3rd party roles? Considering its link with betting agencies what does the afl do to ensure no inappropriate behaviour takes place. Has Foot ever been reprimanded in his 15 years of umpiring?

How the crazy day played out yesterday 👇 The AFL scoffs at any talk that Foot shouldn’t be allowed to have a second job in racing which includes the Sportsbet link. Butters certainly wasn’t aware of it. But there are some in AFL House who say the optics aren’t great especially because of the reaction we have seen over the past 24 hours. He isn’t a shrinking violet. He would have had plenty of byplay over 270 games with AFL players. So clearly believes he heard it & believes it attacked his integrity. What a challenging tribunal coming up

@FOXFOOTY Existing players accepting less to keep a squad together is a little different imo to attracting a new player.

‘Got to take less to keep a good team together ...’ #OntheCouch, Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews made a big call on the two clubs thought to be leading the race for Zak Butters’ services. MORE >> bit.ly/3OD7vPK

@7AFL The swans knew exactly what they were doing.

"I hear that Charlie Curnow wants to be a role player... You don't give up three first-round picks and two much-loved players for a role player." 🗣️ Kane Cornes on Charlie Curnow's start to 2026

@LaurenHeraldSun The hypocrisy within the media is alarming. The industry is littered with betting agreements, sponsorships and endorsements however an umpire is the only person whose integrity is challenged. The AFLs only interest in optics is if it involves a specsavers sponsorship.

People howled us down for writing this story last year. Whether the AFL has an issue with the optics of an official working at a betting agency is up to them. But at the very least doing so opens it up to alleged comments being taken in a range of ways. heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/gamb…

@RileyBev @AFLcomau Difficult to find comparable scenarios...Mac Andrew signed a massive deal after a relatively small number of games... Like everything contracts are made up of 2 key elements...Actual vs Potential. Id put him on a heavy 2yr plus extension triggers with market review.

What is Cooper Trembath's value from a contract perspective? Only eight games into his career, but it's skyrocketing with every passing week. Kangas understandably trying to lock away a deal as quickly as possible. Reaction Time ⏰👇🏼 @AFLcomau

@DavidZita1 @FOXFOOTY If other codes ie NRL and NFL are any indication he will be a lot lighter in the pocket...also fair to say its only surpassed by coming into contact....the nrl are particularly tough on it. Lets see how the afl handles it.

Zak Butters has been referred directly to the AFL Tribunal after being charged with Abusive and Insulting Language Towards an Umpire.    It is alleged Butters said to Umpire Nick Foot, “How much are they paying you?” @FOXFOOTY

@XanderMcGuire7 Public service announcements.

Jack Ginnivan’s car has been found! A statement from police on the vehicle that was stolen from Ginnivan’s Richmond home on Thursday evening/Friday morning: “A vehicle stolen from a (Richmond) address sometime between 6pm on Thursday 9 April and 9.30am on Friday 10 April has been found. The grey 2025 Nissan Patrol was located behind the Dandenong Creek Trail in Bayswater on Saturday. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the theft is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”@7AFL @7NewsMelbourne

@CoreyMcKernan What its done is highlighted a genuine gap in our list. We need a capable 2nd ruck almost as much as that KPD we have all wanted for years. Goad still has a way to go. X playing heavy minutes leaves him susceptible to fatigue and injury.

💯 he mucked up and he owned it…. He loves playing all four quarters of every game. Maybe we find out more on who steps up?

@SENBreakfast What a pity Accor stadium in Sydney is no longer fit for purpose. Assuming the same fans that travelled to Adelaide are willing to travel to Sydney can only imagine what the homebush precinct would be like with games there and at Engie.

"They are unashamadely asking for more than they ever have before." South Australia wants a long-term Gather Round commitment and more from the AFL. #Cygnett | #AFL

@RalphyHeraldSun Its not complicated Jon...the afl backs the umpire..case closed.

We officially have Collard 2.0. Nick Foot is doubling down, has told the AFL today he heard Butters say something much stronger than a query about why he paid a decision. Port backing Butters. If neither party backs down by late this arvo we are likely off to a tribunal, which could hear the case ungraded. How else can the AFL solve it? The ump microphones weren’t turned off, they just didn’t pick up the exchange 👇 heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-…

@RalphyHeraldSun Why an open hearing? The transparency the afl seeks is only serving to undermine confidence in it.

Confirmation from the AFL of the timing of this hearing. It will again be open to media so we will get to hear the submissions of St Kilda and the AFL, which asked for a 10 week ban that would be served after his two-week VFL striking suspension

@Thomo_Grant If the MRO enforced staging rule and fined players/suspended repeat offenders we may see a change in behaviour. Whilst onfield calling out the behaviour would be ideal can only imagine the players reactions. Id prefer they simply pay holding the ball and let the MRO do its job.

I would like to see this… “When a player CLEARLY fakes to draw a free kick and the umpire says “No you were acting”, it should immediately result in a free kick to the opposition. Watch players stop acting then!

@Thomo_Grant The staging rules exist...they just need to enforce them...but id suggest its more to do with being seen to protect the head and avoid potential legal scrutiny.

Whilst we have been beneficiaries AFL need to do something about faking. Saints have extracted 3 free kicks from ducking head and one where player actually searched for and headbutted Port player in the stomach. A player will get hurt soon. Umpires need to stop rewarding duckers for a while.

@tommorris32 Maybe explain what questioning the integrity of the umpire means Tom. And why is the use of the term cheat even relevant if it is as you suggest clear that integrity was being questioned?

While it’s not yet clear precisely what Nick Foot believed Zak Butters said to him, what has become clear is that Butters (allegedly) questioned his integrity as an umpire. Foot has claimed he did so without using the word ‘cheat’. Lawyers involved, a possible tribunal hearing awaits. Butters & Port denying anything untoward & no audio available of the alleged remarks. @1116sen @AFLNation

@tommorris32 What precedent does this set for future homophobic, racist etc related slurs when its a he said/he said event? In the absence of 3rd party corroboration what approach does the tribunal take that then forms the basis for future claims?

The Collard process will see St Kilda and the AFL send a written submission tribunal re the sanction. Then by tomorrow afternoon an X weeks penalty will be delivered The Saints can appeal, using the same grounds as a regular MRO/tribunal case. Likely: ‘The decision was so unreasonable that no tribunal acting reasonably could have come to that decision based on the evidence.’ @1116sen @SENBreakfast

@RalphyHeraldSun Stand-off Jon? Umpires report incident..it stands as true unless player counsel presents evidence that challenges umpires report. Its not incumbent on the umpire or afl to prove it happened..its Butters counsel to prove it didnt.

The Zak Butters abuse standoff. Butters is adamant he said nothing, umpire Foote has told the AFL what he believes was said but they will go over it with him again today before deciding on next steps. It could even go to the tribunal where both parties state their case. The AFL has to be seen to supporting its umpires after the Lachie Schultz fiasco last year 👇heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-…

@FootyonNine An IQ of 142....combined. Feel like we should be placing ping pong balls into their mouths.

The panel unanimously agrees: Gather Round MUST stay in South Australia ✅ #9AFLSFS | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️

@ParrottDarryl @kangarooted Agree. Hasnt played at the level for some time. Was a little surprised when we grabbed him but clarko obviously had plans for Parker and Spargo was arguably a like for like replacement.

@kangarooted The guy has played in an AFL premiership, so that makes him a little better than a VFL player. Give the guy some time to get back into it.ATM his our best shot. Dovastan needs a few weeks in the vfl to grow some confidence.

Now that Charlie Spargo can tell his dad that he too played for #NMFC Clarko can return him to VFL which is his level of footy. Gees, why do we chase these list-clogging nobodies who had 1 reasonable season 5 years ago?

@KangaCanadiens Skill errors have been our achilles heel for many years...followed by decision making and structures. Its improving but we still have some players who struggle under pressure. Its emphasised more now because we are getting more right if that makes sense.

I know it's crazy, but North plays in wildcard round this year if the basics like kicking and game awareness are polished. We have an attractive style of football. The problem is that the basics haven't improved over the past half-decade. This WILL stunt our progress.

@KangaCanadiens Yeah....after the game Clarko looked really comforted by that good loss. This show has become more of a sideshow than a footy show.

This is a pathetic take as per. We have every right to be frustrated because of yesterday, but not because we were convincingly outplayed, but because we had every chance to win that game. Progress is being made. Missing X and FOS are huge, and I'm not trying to make excuses.