AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley defends fines for Hawthorn’s umpire approach

The AFL has stood by the sanctions handed to Hawthorn stars James Sicily and Tom Barrass after they approached an umpire at the final siren.

Barrass and Sicily were fined a total of $15,000 for their altercation with umpire Hayden Meyer following the match-defining free kick to Brisbane on Saturday night.

North Melbourne legend and AFL analyst David King called the fines “soft” and said the players should have been suspended.

The umpires were forced to run from the field and dodge objects thrown from the crowd as they exited the arena.

Victorian Sports Minister Steve Dimopoulos earlier lamented the actions of crowd members before it was echoed by AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley.

Harley called some of the crowd behaviour “downright embarrassing” but said the league had taken appropriate action regarding the players.

“Firstly, it was disappointing and both of those players have acknowledged that and have absolutely, unreservedly, accepted the sanction that handed down,” Harley said.

“As the minister said, the fan behaviour from a very small section of the fanbase when you’re talking about 100,000 was certainly not good enough.

“(It was) not what we expect and, in some cases, downright embarrassing to be frank.

“All of the major stakeholders being the AFL, the stadium here at the MCG and importantly the clubs are right behind in making sure this doesn’t happen.

“We want to create an environment where people can really enjoy themselves, feel safe and bask in the event. I think the response has been appropriate.”

Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was fined twice Sicily’s figure for making a plane gesture to Jack Ginnivan after a final in 2024.

Harley said the AFL viewed issues in isolation, insisting Saturday’s incident would not deter umpires from getting involved at all levels.

“I think we look at all situations in isolation and treat them on their merits,” he said.