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While the Saints’ bask in their glory, let’s head back to an interesting incident earlier in the game, involving Zak Butters and an umpire.
During the fiery third quarter, Mitch Owens was given a free kick after a Port player was pinged for holding a St Kilda player’s jumper. Owens was then granted another 50m after an exchange between Zak Butters and an umpire.
Audio from Fox Footy’s broadcast shows an umpire telling Butters he will be reported for using abusive language.
In a post-match interview with Channel 7, Butters denied using “bad language” or swear words and said he did not say anything wrong.
Butters said he tried to approach the umpire after the game and the umpire refused to speak to him.
“All I said, is ‘how is that a free kick’, and he [the umpire] gave 50 and said I’m on report,” Butters said.
“So I had a few teammates there next to me… I’m curious to follow that one up because I’m never gonna say anything bad to the umpire.”
“Obviously, a bit frustrated because it leads to a goal, I think I’m a pretty honest bloke out there and have a good relationship with most umpires, I’m sure the club will deal with that,” he continued.
When asked if he thought he’d have a good case to fight against a potential charge, Butters confirmed he’d “fight for the hills”.
“I know what I said and I know I didn’t say anything bad.”
Geelong wingman Mark O’Connor looks set to face the scrutiny of the match review officer for his bump on Willem Duursma in the Cats’ otherwise clinical 46-point win over West Coast.
Irishman O’Connor elected to bump and collected Duursma high, but the Eagles’ No.1 draft pick was able to continue playing.
O’Connor, rested for the Easter Monday blockbuster against Hawthorn, celebrated his return with a career-best three-goal haul – all in the first half.
Meanwhile, West Coast tagger Deven Robertson came off in the fourth quarter after hurting his left knee in a collision of legs with Geelong ruckman Mitchell Edwards at a centre bounce.
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Earlier this week, St Kilda’s Lance Collard was found to have used a homophobic slur at a Frankston opponent during a VFL match in March, but a sanction has not yet been decided.
The AFL made the announcement on Friday evening after a lengthy independent disciplinary tribunal hearing that went for nearly five hours on Thursday.
In a brief statement, the AFL said a sanction hearing will now be convened to determine the sanction at a date and time to be determined.
In a post-match press conference, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon was asked how Lance was doing.
In a post-match press conference, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has commended the emotional resilience within his group.
“It’s all about being brave emotionally, leave no alibi, leave no excuse,” he said.
“Because in someways it’s easier to come from behind because if you fall short … you’re more devastated when you’ve been in front and you lose, so I certainly like that element, the psychology of the team, they’re putting everything out there.”
Lyon pointing to Jack Higgins, who has overcome significant personal adversity to return to the level and play his 150th game.
Port Adelaide senior coach Josh Carr commended his side for the second-half effort, despite the loss to St Kilda.
“What I liked about it, is that we kept the score within reach,” Carr said in a post-match press conference.
“We kept momentum probably more in that second quarter to allow us to still be close enough I guess, at half-time.”
The AFL have confirmed 270,018 spectators attended Gather Round – setting a new record.
AFL Photos
While the Saints’ bask in their glory, let’s head back to an interesting incident earlier in the game, involving Zak Butters and an umpire.
During the fiery third quarter, Mitch Owens was given a free kick after a Port player was pinged for holding a St Kilda player’s jumper. Owens was then granted another 50m after an exchange between Zak Butters and an umpire.
Audio from Fox Footy’s broadcast shows an umpire telling Butters he will be reported for using abusive language.
In a post-match interview with Channel 7, Butters denied using “bad language” or swear words and said he did not say anything wrong.
