Umpiring great Ray ‘Razor’ Chamberlain has spoken on the words of players that “cut at the very essence” of AFL officials, in light of Zak Butters’ $1,500 fine for alleged umpire abuse last Sunday in Gather Round.
During Port Adelaide’s 14-point loss to St Kilda last Sunday night, umpire Nick Foot alleges the Power superstar asked: “How much are they paying you?” during the third quarter. Butters and nearby teammate Ollie Wines maintain he said something to the tune of: ‘How is that a free kick?’.
Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Tuesday night, Chamberlain, who umpired at the men’s top level for two decades, opened up on how damaging allegations of dishonest conduct can be.
“It cuts to the very premise of what it is you’re undertaking. The role of the umpire is to ensure that the game is played in a fair and safe manner, and that’s your responsibility without fear or favour,” Chamberlain said.
“So, when that gets called into question, you’re cutting at the very essence of who that person is in terms of their role.
“Expletives wash over an umpire; it’s commonplace for those words as an umpire. That generally doesn’t have much of an impact on an umpire personally. But, when you’re calling into question the very fundamental essence of what they’re doing and who they are, that does cut to the bone.
“Lots of people will be saying: ‘You’ve got to have thick skin’, and let’s be honest, that’s true. If you’re going to undertake that role, there’s an element of stuff in general that you’ve got to be able to endure, handle and work through.
Butters GUILTY verdict breakdown | 04:14
“The players are ripping in; it’s emotive, it’s combative, it’s a rarefied environment … so you’ve got to have an understanding of that balance. At the same time, if we’re going to get a great relationship between player and on-field official, there’s a reciprocity piece at play — whereby players need to acknowledge ‘don’t go there’.”
Speaking to journalist Xander McGuire immediately after the final siren on Sunday, Butters revealed he attempted to ask Foot why he had been reported, but was swiftly denied any conversation.
Chamberlain spoke to the circumstances of the attempted conversation, and why Foot may not have entertained a discussion.
“It could’ve been perceived as being dismissive, or disrespectful, or weak — but it’s quite the opposite, he’s not permitted to do that,” he said.
“I know that had been communicated before the end of the game. There were attempts at three-quarter time.”
As a reference point, the ACT product recalled an incident of his own he went through during the later stages of his time as an AFL umpire, where a player questioned his integrity.
‘I know what I said and what I didn’t!’ | 00:40
And while Chamberlain didn’t report the unnamed player mid-game like Foot, the effects of their words left him “aggrieved”.
“I had one (an incident) during the Covid era, where a player made a comment that was in a similar vein as to whether I was wearing an opposition jumper under my shirt. I asked him: ‘Are you talking to me?’” Chamberlain explained.
“Often in those sorts of circumstances, that’s enough. The player will go: ‘I’ve made my point, but I’ll pull up as he’s given me an out’, and that will look after itself.
“On this particular occasion, this particular player thought he’d double-down and said: ‘Who else am I talking to?’
“I was really aggrieved by that actually, because I’d given him the opportunity and he didn’t want to take it. I chose to take action after the game … I just went: ‘I’m going to leave this, but not forever, I’m going to pick this up (later).”
Power player and Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines testified in defence of Butters on Tuesday evening, noting that while he couldn’t be certain of what his teammate said word-for-word, he was “adamant what he didn’t say.”
Umpire audio for Butters abuse charge | 01:54
“I’ve had the privilege of working with all three of the boys on the field. Ollie, Zak, and I know Nick — I worked with him,” Chamberlain said.
“All three of those lads have got some personal characteristics that are very similar actually, that they don’t even know. They’re all guys I respect and enjoy their company.
“It is really reasonable to think that both fellows are telling absolutely their truth, and we’ve got a miscommunication or misunderstanding.
“You’ve (Garry Lyon) played in front of big crowds and noise. You hear things and think you heard something, but potentially it wasn’t said that way.”
Port Adelaide are expected to challenge the Tribunal’s findings once the specific reasons for his $1,500 fine are released on Wednesday morning.
Discussion about this post