Tempers flared at the Omeo Recreation Reserve last Saturday with the Omeo District Football Netball League (ODFNL) round three fixture between Omeo Benambra and Swan Reach abandoned by club umpires during the third quarter.
The outcome was a disappointing result in any week and less than ideal in the heavily promoted Community Umpiring Week.
With East Gippsland Umpires Association (EGUA) light on for officials in 2025, the competition has been umpired by club appointed umpires in all matches, except for the Bruthen and Buchan clash on Saturday, where EGUA supplied.
Umpires are a necessity for matches to take place and a general by-product of club umpires, who can come will varied degrees of experience, is that games will not be officiated to the letter of the law.
Saturday’s match was officiated by Swan Reach president Mick Jakins and former EGUA official Dave McCoy.
The home side, the reigning competition premier, was 39 points in front when proceedings were halted.
Swans full forward Max Solomon was the only player sent off in the match after a late bump.
Tempers were flared throughout the match, with constant banter and arguing between supporters, officials, coaches and umpires.
In the third term umpires called the sides in for a debrief to tell them that if attitudes didn’t improve, the game would be abandoned.
After some heated discussion the match didn’t restart.
The umpires took this action in the interests of the health and wellbeing of the players and officials.
The ODFNL met on Monday night, the league standing by the decision of the club umpires to abandon the game.
The ODFNL executive and delegates have imposed a bond on both clubs, which will remain in place until the end of the 2025 season.
As the match had passed half time, the score at the time of the match being abandoned stands with Omeo-Benambra being declared the winner.
Cody Graske kicked five goals for the Alpine Ranges, who were well served by Jacob Tomkins, Brandon Betts, Hudson Collins, Darcy Fenning-Chester, Cameron Roberts and Aiden Hayward.
Swan Reach player Jesse Guarnaccia is facing a three-match suspension for a breach oft he AFL Social Media Policy. An early guilty plea will see his decision reduced to two.
A number of questions still remain unanswered with club officials set to hold crisis talks among themselves later in the week.
Umpiring and club behaviour will be high on list of most ODFNL presidents and coaches.
In this weeks matches, Omeo Benambra faces current boom side Bruthen, while Swan Reach is at home to Swifts Creek.
