AN incident involving contact with an umpire has put the career of a Mininera and District Football League player in jeopardy.
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Moyston-Willaura reserves player Duaine Jantzen has been handed a 14-week suspension after being found quality of intentionally making contact with an umpire.
The incident occurred during the Pumas’ game against Woorndoo-Mortlake on Saturday.
It is something that as a club we do not condone, as a club we will take further action.
- Daniel Guinane
He was handed the suspension after pleading guilty at Lake Bolac on Tuesday night.
It is the first time he has appeared before a tribunal.
The penalty is just two weeks short of being de-registered for accruing a total of 16 weeks or more.
The suspension has drawn a response from the league about player attitudes to umpires.
Mininera and District league president David Watson said clubs were contacted this week to remind them about respecting umpires.
“Our board collectively will be sending an email to all clubs regarding umpire abuse,” he said.
“We are very concerned, because there are a lot of players being sent off for arguing with umpires and verbal barrages towards umpires.
“The board is not going to tolerate it and will instruct clubs we intend to take a zero tolerance stance on this.
“We will ask the umpires groups to send off people that continually give umpires abuse on the ground.”
Mr Watson said one player had already been sent from the ground three times from just seven games in 2016.
All three incidents involved the player back chatting to an umpire.
He said the renewed focus on umpire respect would also include verbal abuse from and near the coach’s box.
While Jantzen’s actions has not only drawn the wrath of the tribunal but also his own club.
Moyston-Willaura president Daniel Guinane said the football club’s board will discuss what action on Jantzen.
Mr Guinane said the club was very disappointed following the incident on Saturday.
“I went to the tribunal to get the point of view of the umpires, witnesses and our own player,” he said.
“I was very disappointed with what eventuated on the ground.
“It is something that as a club we do not condone, as a club we will take further action.”
Mr Guinane said Jantzen had been very remorseful in his appearance at the tribunal on Tuesday night.
"By all means he was genuinely remorseful,” he said.
“He apologised to the umpire as well.
“My understanding was that it was a 50-metre decision against him, that as he walked past the umpire he hit with him shoulder.
“He was found guilty of intentionally making contact.”
Moyston-Willaura’s senior team has had a solid start to the season, winning four of its first seven games to sit in sixth place on the ladder.
This Saturday they will play host to Ararat Eagles.