The WA Football Commission will effectively decide the outcome of the East Kimberley Football League grand final after the weekend’s decider was marred by a drunk goal umpire and ugly crowd behaviour.
Key points:
- The result of the East Kimberley Football League is in limbo after the Halls Creek Hawks appealed their one-point loss to the Ord River Magpies
- One of the goal umpires officiated the game while drunk, blowing well over the legal limit when breathalysed after the final siren
- The WA Football Commission will determine the final result of the appeal, and what happens next
The Ord River Magpies led by a point when the final siren blew on Saturday, registering 6.7 (43) to the Halls Creek Hawks 6.6 (42).
But Halls Creek officials raised concerns about the behaviour of an EKFL goal umpire, who was subsequently breathalysed by the league and found to be over the limit.
EKFL president Wayne Paul told ABC Kimberley said a complaint was made around that umpire and a breathalyser was used to verify his condition.
“We are pretty disappointed, because it was actually a really great game of footy — the best of the year” Paul said.
“I’ve spoken to the umpire and made sure he’s OK. I, personally, wasn’t happy with what happened.”
Appeal lodged
The result at the final siren triggered chaotic post-match scenes, as spectators poured on to the field, initially in celebration, before the situation turned to anger.
An EKFL appointee, the goal umpire in question was escorted from the ground.
After the game concluded, the Hawks lodged an appeal, leaving the full outcome and the premiership dependent on a ruling from the WA Football Commission.
The Magpies — who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year — have not been able to cap it off with the premiership.
Supplied: Tim Lees, Lees Media
)Commentator Tim Lees, of Lees Media, has reviewed footage he took — of the Hawks’ shot for goal in the dying minutes — dozens of times.
He called it as a goal until he saw the umpire’s signal for a point and said it was impossible to tell from the position he was in.
“There were actually a couple of kicks at goal which were contested … there were a couple of different decisions.”
Both men agreed the situation was unusual and that it marred an otherwise great game of football.
“Like a lot of people, we’re all waiting with bated breath how it will transpire,” Lees said.
Paul said he had not noticed any signs of intoxication in the umpire.
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
