Sportsbet parts ways with AFL umpire Nick Foot; Shaw’s issue with Pendles tribute — Daily

Betting giant Sportsbet has reportedly severed its controversial partnership with AFL umpire Nick Foot.

Plus, a Collingwood legend is “uncomfortable” with the club’s tribute to Scott Pendlebury’s record match, while Sydney looks set to dominate prime-time footy later in the season. MORE IN AFL DAILY.

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PIES GREAT ‘UNCOMFORTABLE’ WITH PENDLES MILESTONE TRIBUTE

Sportsbet has ended its relationship with AFL field umpire Foot following the controversial Zak Butters verbal abuse case.

That’s according to Seven’s Mitch Cleary, who reports Foot was told last week he was no longer required by the preeminent bookmaker.

The revelation comes weeks after Butters was alleged to have questioned Foot’s umpiring integrity in Port Adelaide’s Gather Round loss to St Kilda.

Initially fined $1,500 after being found guilty at the Tribunal, Butters got off at the Appeals Board after it was deemed there was an error in law in how the verdict was determined – with juror Jason Johnson’s car trip proving costly.

Regardless, the case reignited debate over whether it was ethical that Foot, a grand final umpire, held a dual role at Sportsbet as a horse racing analyst – which he started in February 2025.

In a statement via Seven, Foot said he was “proud” to maintain keen interests in both horse racing and AFL umpiring.

“My time with the Get On racing team is something I’ll always value,” he said.

“Broadcasting racing, working alongside close mates, and interviewing the people who make the industry tick has been a genuine highlight.

“I’m a proud horse racing and umpiring person and continue to share a passion for both.

“Playing a small part in the AFL is a privilege, and I look forward to continuing to serve the game with professionalism in my role for years to come.”

In February 2025, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon ticked off on Foot performing the secondary role, claiming it had “no crossover with umpiring”.

“Nick’s worked in and around the racing industry for a number of years. We’ve worked very closely with him on how that plays out … it’s very clearly a racing role and we’re comfortable with that.”

Cleary, though, reported that the Foot-Butters situation “forced an internal change of policy by Sportsbet to no longer employ officials from any code”.

PIES GREAT ‘UNCOMFORTABLE’ WITH PENDLES TRIBUTE

Collingwood legend Tony Shaw says he’s “uncomfortable” with Scott Pendlebury wearing a specially made golden No. 10 number on his guernsey in his looming record-breaking game.

Pendlebury is set to don a painted gold 10 on his jumper when he passes Brent Harvey’s record in the Pies champ’s record 433rd game in the coming weeks.

But Shaw, who was Collingwood’s previously games record holder with 313 appearances, isn’t a fan of individualising Pendlebury from the team on the night he makes history.

“Don’t like it. I was talking to a lot of Collingwood people and deserves every accolade but I would rather see something that is more designed for the record than a gold number,” Shaw said on 3AW radio.

“It’s a team game … I broke the club record but I wouldn’t want that.

“As a leader and as someone who hopefully bases everything about team, does he feel comfortable?

“I am not saying he is making it about himself. Is this being forced on him? I’d be quite surprised that he’d be feel comfortable with it. I don’t like, I’ve have had heaps of people say to me that they don’t like it.”

Pendlebury, who was rested against Hawthorn last week, is set to equal Harvey’s record against Geelong this Saturday night.

The 38-year-old is then expected to sit out next week’s SCG clash with Sydney, before breaking the record the following week against West Coast at the MCG on Saturday May 23.

“A gold number on a night which says you’re different from everybody out on that field on that night for that reason, I just feel uncomfortable with it and I’ve had heaps of people say it,” Shaw continued.

“It’s only an opinion, but I just don’t feel comfortable with it.

“Like I said, he deserves every accolade. But I just feel uncomfortable with it and a lot of my friends, who are good football people, have said the same thing.”

SWANS TO REPORTEDLY DOMINATE PRIME TIME IN UPCOMING FIXTURE RELEASE

Sydney to own the prime time slots in the back-end of the season?

AFL Media reports the ladder-leading Swans are set to be rewarded for their hot start to 2026 with the most the marquee fixtures from rounds 16 to 23 when the schedule comes out.

The Swans have five Thursday or Friday night games in the first 15 rounds, with Adelaide, Geelong and Hawthorn (nine) handed the most prime time exposure.

Fremantle and Hawthorn, who sit second and third, are also expected to get more prime time slots in the upcoming fixture release, as the AFL juggles Victorian powerhouses Carlton, Essendon and Richmond occupying the bottom three spots on the ladder.

Clubs have asked for specific requests including Gold Coast lobbying to play Collingwood on a Friday night in their Round 17 game at People First Stadium.

The league has told clubs it’s likely to confirm the specific details from rounds 16 to 23 next week, with the final round to remain undisclosed until later in the season.

It’s still deciding whether to drop the entire eight-week block or in two separate releases to allow for more flexibility.