A question about the 1985 John Bourke / Umpire incident.

[newcs]

With umpire contact being a bit of a talking point lately, back in 1985 Collingwood reserves player John Bourke showed us how to do it properly.
One question about that incident that I can"t find any information about. As he was leaving the ground, he appeared to jump the fence and have an altercation with a spectator. I consider that to be just as serious as "whacking" the umpire.
Does anybody know if anything came out of that part of the incident. Did the spectator take any civil action ? Did the police get involved ?

 

[Malifice]

He did get suspended for 10 years (plus 16 games) for it.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Did the spectator take any civil action ? Did the police get involved ?

This is from a time before the rise of the snowflakes.

It was very unusual for people to do that back then.

 

[Shane Heard]

I was watching it on tv at the time as a 15 year old eating ham and cheese toasties.

It was a serreal moment in time thst I’ll never forget.

Just sat there in shock waiting to see what he’d do next.

Even Robert Muir wouldn’t do that...

 

[Shane Heard]

I think the guy on the fence who got belted just slinked away from the ground never to be seen of again.

Serves him right taunting a bloke who’s in a fit of rage. Smart arse.

 

[Bluelegs]

I think the guy on the fence who got belted just slinked away from the ground never to be seen of again.

Serves him right taunting a bloke who’s in a fit of rage. Smart arse.

Looks like he got curb-stomped.

 

[Ron The Bear]

This is from a time before the rise of the snowflakes.

It was very unusual for people to do that back then.

"Aw, he's give him one too. Yeah, he's done well."

- Slug Jordan

 

[Back One Out]

Does anybody know if anything came out of that part of the incident. Did the spectator take any civil action ? Did the police get involved ?

No police involvement. No charges.

He was suspended for 10 years for pushing the umpire over

 

[wowlace]

Toxic masculinity, for shame.

 

[Banyo Bloods]

Did he play again after 10 years+ at a lower level

 

[Nostradumbass]

Worked with him at the board of works in the mid 90s. He was a drinking machine.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Not sure whether he actually punched the spectator. This article says he threw him to the ground.

While he was leaving the ground, Bourke jumped the fence and threw a spectator to the ground.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...ens-10year-ban-not-enough-20120808-23tn3.html

And here:

Minutes later, as Bourke stood over the Swans fan he’d knocked on his back...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ar...n-Bourke-decks-umpire-attacks-fan-stands.html

 

[newcs]

"Aw, he's give him one too. Yeah, he's done well."

- Slug Jordan

The ironic thing is that that is the one of the very few times that Slug Jordan had been anywhere near in a commentary box.
He just happened to be at the game doing some talent scouting and someone recognised him and invited him up the the commentary box for an interview.
It's was a pure fluke that he was in the commentary box when this incident happened. He just about took over the commentary and his words became famous.

 

[Blueyboy74]

"Aw, he's give him one too. Yeah, he's done well."

- Slug Jordan

"You're gotta get the boy off"

 

[Shane Heard]

The ironic thing is that that is the one of the very few times that Slug Jordan had been anywhere near in a commentary box.
He just happened to be at the game doing some talent scouting and someone recognised him and invited him up the the commentary box for an interview.
It's was a pure fluke that he was in the commentary box when this incident happened. He just about took over the commentary and his words became famous.

Haha..I never knew that.

Classic

 

[Frank Gallagher]

Worked with him at the board of works in the mid 90s. He was a drinking machine.

I used to sleep over at the Bourkes quite often as I was best mates with Johns little brother Micheal at primary school, John was always a madman but **** he could play, as evidenced by him tearing the Diamond Valley football comp apart years after his suspension.

Would've made a very, very good FF at VFL/AFL level if he had his head screwed on right IMO.

His brother was an ok footballer who had similar size, nowhere near as good as John though.

 

[Frank Gallagher]

As for the OPs question, i reckon if it happened today the spectator would sue the club, not the player, Johns parents were battlers and John was just an 18 year old kid at the time so there was no money there.

 

[MisterMarcus]

I think the guy on the fence who got belted just slinked away from the ground never to be seen of again.

Serves him right taunting a bloke who’s in a fit of rage. Smart arse.

Plenty of spectators jeer and taunt at opposition players.

You can't just jump the fence and belt them for saying mean words to you.

 

[Shane Heard]

Plenty of spectators jeer and taunt at opposition players.

You can't just jump the fence and belt them for saying mean words to you.

I agree with you.

But if you’re going to be silly enough to stand close and poke the hornets nest with a stick, don’t be surprised when you get attacked.

 

[STFU Donnie]

It's Ray Jordon. With an "o". Two, actually.

 

[Wallaby]

I was watching it on tv at the time as a 15 year old eating ham and cheese toasties.

.

What sort of cheese?

 

[Shane Heard]

What sort of cheese?

Craft singles

 

[Smoky]

Craft singles

Kraft Singles...

Show some Respect Please...

Best Cheese in the world!

 

[Mycous]

Yes

As for the OPs question, i reckon if it happened today the spectator would sue the club, not the player, Johns parents were battlers and John was just an 18 year old kid at the time so there was no money there.[/QUOTE
Yes
I agree and the Bourke family didn’t need this at the time. I am a cousin and times were tough.

 

[Ron The Bear]

It's Ray Jordon. With an "o". Two, actually.

He was actually born Slug, but some people called him ‘Ray’...