Collingwood veteran Brayden Maynard and former Gold Coast captain Touk Miller have avoided bans for touching an umpire during a fiery melee on Saturday.
But the AFL has handed down a series of sanctions in the wake of the incidents, including fines for Maynard and Miller as well as a two-match ban to Suns forward Ben Long for his off-the-ball whack to Maynard’s ribs.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Heated brawl erupts between Collingwood and Gold Coast
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Eleven other players have been fined following melees sparked by Long’s hit and another that ramped up when Maynard sprinted across for attempted revenge on Long after the half-time siren.
Umpire Nick Brown could see the trouble coming and was standing in front of Long.
As Maynard rushed in, he placed two hands in Brown’s back to nudge the umpire out of the way so that he could get to Long.
Replays also showed star Suns midfielder Miller, who was trailing Maynard, also made contact with the umpire.
Maynard has copped three separate fines totaling $8000, down to $7000 with early pleas for two of them, for his instigation of and involvement in the melee, while Miller receives two fines worth a combined $6500, down to $6000 with an early plea for one.
Reductions with early guilty pleas were not made available to Maynard and Miller for their umpire contact fines.
Pies players Jordan De Goey, Harry Perryman and Billy Frampton all received at least one fine, while Suns rivals Mac Andrew, Zeke Uwland, Nick Holman, Noah Anderson, Joel Jeffrey, Bailey Humphrey, Sam Collins and Wil Powell have also taken a hit to the hip pocket.
The AFL has taken a dim view of intentional contact with umpires, headlined by GWS captain Toby Greene copping a six-match ban in 2021 for brushing past an umpire who was trying to talk to him.
Gold Coast already received a $20,000 fine last month for tallying five umpire contact incidents this season, with Miller’s sanction bringing the tally to six.
Collingwood are now at risk of their own $20,000 fine as Maynard becomes their fifth such charge of the year.
Outside the chaos Maynard, labelled their ‘spiritual leader’ by coach Craig McRae, was influential in the Pies’ six-point win, pulling off a series of clutch tackles and desperate acts.
“This guy popped his shoulder out three weeks ago, and for most that’s season ending. This guy’s worked hard and got it right,” McRae said.
“We love what he does and what he brings to the table.
“He inspires us in so many different ways. I’m certain we’ll show a couple of those examples from late in the game (when he) saved goals or saved score involvements.
“He was really pivotal.”
