Bendigo FL discussion 2025

[Mad Jack]

If ya don’t wanna ride, you can walk

 

[douglee]

Anyone post the article about the incident from bendigo addy?

 

[Test Tickle]

Where can I find the footage of this?

nothing in it

 

[Jack Doolan]

Where can I find the footage of this?

I just had a look it’s at the end of the footage of the game but it’s very hard to tell if anything was said although he definitely turns back and says something and she turns to him as well

 

[Truck]

I just had a look it’s at the end of the footage of the game but it’s very hard to tell if anything was said although he definitely turns back and says something and she turns to him as well

Just had a look at it.
Understand where she is coming from. But at the same time probably made more out of it by taking it off him then handing him a medal and getting him off stage.

 

[Back in my Day]

The coaches have their say on the incident that shook the grand final​

NS
By Nathan Spicer
Updated September 21 2025 - 3:09pm, first published 3:00pm
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The aftermath of the quarter-time flashpoint that saw Eaglehawk co-coach Clayton Holmes reported. Picture by Darren Howe
Eaglehawk's final quarter hero and co-coach, Clayton Holmes, is likely to miss a large chunk of footy early in the 2026 season.
The forward was reported for a high hit on Sandhurst youngster Dayten Uerata after the quarter-time siren in Saturday's Bendigo Football League grand final.
In a classic decider that saw the Hawks come from 34 points down to defeat red-hot favourites Sandhurst, the incident has been one of the biggest talking points out of the game in the 24 hours since.

Siren sounds on Eaglehawk's 2025 BFNL grand final win. Video by Luke West.
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Having conceded the opening six goals, the Hawks needed a spark entering quarter-time.
Holmes provided it when, after being pushed in the back by Dragon defender Liam Ireland right on the buzzer, he went back from 40m out and saluted to make it a 38-10 ball game at the first break.
Then came the flashpoint.
A scuffle broke out as Holmes celebrated, and in the melee, Holmes collected the 19-year-old Uerata, high and with force.
Uerata went down immediately and laid motionless on the floor for a couple of minutes before walking off the ground with the help of trainers.

Dayten Uerata is being looked after by a Sandhurst trainer and his skipper, Cooper Smith. Picture by Darren Howe


Uerata spent the night at Bendigo Health with concussion and was reportedly not in a good way when his co-coach, Bryce Curnow, visited him at 7.30pm on Saturday evening.
Holmes was reported for striking with the offence graded as intentional conduct, high contact and severe impact.
He was shown a yellow card, and the Hawks spent the first 22 minutes of the second term a man down.
Dragons players were visibly irate, as skippers Cooper Smith and Fergus Greene

26

Fergus Greene

Age

28

Ht

187cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.8

2star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.4

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.8

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.4

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.0

4star

strongly argued with the umpires for minutes following the contact.

Clayton Holmes is shown a yellow card. Picture by Darren Howe
The situation had the potential to boil over further as both clubs walked back to their respective huddles, but thankfully, the remainder of the game was largely played without incident.

Footage of the incident misses the point of contact by a split second.
Whatever the punishment, it will have the added GST of grand final suspensions being worth double.
"From my position, I'm not sure what the result was of it," Holmes said post-game when asked about the incident.
"I didn't mean any harm - I was just trying to celebrate and get some energy going for us.
Start the conversation

"This will play out in due course, but I never want to cause harm."
Uerata, a former Bendigo Pioneers captain and Eaglehawk junior, didn't return to the field.
Curnow said it changed the course of the match.
"A lot of planning goes into a season, and when you're six goals up in a grand final with everything going to plan, and an act like this happens, it can swing momentum completely the other way," Curnow said.

2025 BFNL grand final: Sandhurst co-coach Bryce Curnow. Video by Luke West.
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"Afterwards, it not only left us short of our normal run off half back, but it obviously affected our rotations being a player down all day, not to mention the fairly emotional toll it took on our young group.
"It is pretty hard to see anyone knocked out cold, but it is especially sad for Dayten at such a young age.
"He is a great kid, and we hope that he can bounce back to his best when the time comes.
"The playing group is made of the right stuff and will wrap their arms around him.
"Around the incident itself, a lot of people have asked me why it was not a red card?
"All I have heard is that a report was made on the spot and that it was dealt as severe, intentional and high.
"It isn't a matter that I really want to get into.
"It is still very raw, there are a lot of thoughts and feelings on the act itself, but from my end, nothing changes, we still lost to a great team.
"We put on a show for the fans and unfortunately the Borough were too good in the big moments, well done to Matho (Hawks co-coach Travis Matheson) and his players for a great season."
The Hawks adapted quickly to being a man down, winning the second term and bringing the margin back to four goals by half-time.

"I thought there were a few things that the umpires could have pulled up for incidents against our boys as well," Matheson said.

2025 BFNL grand final: Eaglehawk crowned 2025 premiers. Video by Luke West.
"But the boys needed to dig deep a man down in the second quarter, and I think the challenge got us going a bit, which speaks volumes about the group," Matheson said.
The Hawks overran Sandhurst in a famous final term, kicking seven goals to two as they claimed their 28th premiership in a 14.10 (94) to 12.12 (84) victory.

 

[The Longblow]

So a bloke gets knocked out and the alleged perpetrator is reported then sent off and allowed to return to the ground after a period as though nothing happened?
I thought if you were reported it was game over?. Does this rule vary between leagues?

 

[western royboy]

So a bloke gets knocked out and the alleged perpetrator is reported then sent off and allowed to return to the ground after a period as though nothing happened?
I thought if you were reported it was game over?. Does this rule vary between leagues?

Yellow Card v Red Card

Yellow sit off for 15

Red player is off for the match but can be replaced after 15

As an officiating Umpire (Major League GF) the grading suggests it should have been a red card.

The vision makes it hard but based upon what I have read above, should have been a straight red.

 

[The Longblow]

Yellow Card v Red Card

Yellow sit off for 15

Red player is off for the match but can be replaced after 15

As an officiating Umpire (Major League GF) the grading suggests it should have been a red card.

The vision makes it hard but based upon what I have read above, should have been a straight red.

Logic would tell anyone if bloke is knocked out and the umpire felt a yellow card was warranted then wtf needed to happen for a red card. Umpire failure obvious. Pathetic. Umpire probably a mate of the perpetrator.

 

[western royboy]

Logic would tell anyone if bloke is knocked out and the umpire felt a yellow card was warranted then wtf needed to happen for a red card. Umpire failure obvious. Pathetic. Umpire probably a mate of the perpetrator.

I won’t defend what happened because I didn’t see it so I don’t know. But I will make this comment on the effect that video MRP’s have had on umpiring.

Umpiring has never been weaker, for a number of reasons, but two stick out. No one wants to back the Umpires and as result of MRP’s and the ability to refer incidents off video, Umpires are less likely to act. A strong, experienced senior Umpire would most likely have acted differently to a younger Umpire who don’t have the skills in this area. They are great when everything is flowing smoothly, but when you really need them to stand up in situations like this, invariably they fail.

 

[Exhuca68]

Seems as if the umpires didn’t have the balls to give a red.

With that said, what must eventuate for a red to be distributed?

 

[western royboy]

Seems as if the umpires didn’t have the balls to give a red.

With that said, what must eventuate for a red to be distributed?

There is a list in the book but in reality it’s Pretty simple - severe intentional act, not in play, usually high, causing injury

 

[Trent from barwon Heads]

Seems as if the umpires didn’t have the balls to give a red.

With that said, what must eventuate for a red to be distributed?

I dont think they saw it, did anyone see it? Holmes arms weren't clinched and he's body movements just after dont look like he threw a punch. You see him kick the goal and then charge at the sandhurst players and then it cuts out.

Eaglehawk played with 17 on the field for nearly a quarter, sandhurst had over a half to balance the ledger if they thought it was untoward with a fierce tackle, fierce spoil on Holmes, all im reading is excuses on why they gave up a 5 goal lead

 

[Jack Doolan]

If you pause the video at 1:02:32 you can see it happen on the right of screen but it’s impossible to make anything out clearly
To me it looks like he maybe chests him and catches him with a shoulder or something but hard to tell
One thing you can see is the long haired umpire and several Sandhurst players and the coach are looking right at it happen so if it was something untoward like a punch the reaction from the players was pathetic and the umpire was just as soft

 

[HandThatFeedsYou]

It is a common and completely reasonable request .
Sponsors pay good money and many do not want their brand associated with alcohol .
Parents are becoming more mindful of alcohol abuse and don’t want their kids involved in communities clubs where alcohol abuse is prevalent .
The game is struggling and clubs need to ensure they are at the forefront of providing an environment where parents want their kids to be involved .
Much the same as people drink at vote counts / presentation nights but they don’t take

But the BFNL forced alcohol into the hand of the winner of the Michelson/Betty Thompson medal ON THE STAGE last weekend?? Make your mind up Carol?!

 

[western royboy]

I dont think they saw it, did anyone see it? Holmes arms weren't clinched and he's body movements just after dont look like he threw a punch. You see him kick the goal and then charge at the sandhurst players and then it cuts out.

Eaglehawk played with 17 on the field for nearly a quarter, sandhurst had over a half to balance the ledger if they thought it was untoward with a fierce tackle, fierce spoil on Holmes, all im reading is excuses on why they gave up a 5 goal lead

Sorry, but that’s crap.

If you don’t see anything, you don’t send a bloke off under a yellow card. You don’t guess.

 

[rkjc22]

Intentionally striking is a yellow not a red.

According to the umpire I stood next to yesterday.

 

[FootyLife481]

Don’t think anyone would disagree not having a beer in hand is a reasonable request but if the having a crack at a player because of an incident in the game happened it’s pretty poor and no wonder people call them biased

I watched the video and what that lady did is quite a disgrace. In relation to the beers. If they weren’t allowed beers then they should have been told prior to going up. The way she snatched it off him when he ran up and celebrated was just embarrassing. Made a big thing out of a little thing. Maybe tell him to hide it behind his back instead. Then if the rumours of what she said to the player who was carded are true then that is bad from her to. Yes what he did was no good and he should and will cop a punishment. But there is a time and a place. Give him his medal and then go up to him after the presentation not right in the middle of the presentation when everyone is looking at you. He got a yellow card (not saying this is adequate and I thought it should’ve been a red) but he copped his punishment in the game. I wonder if she went and had a chat to the umpires as well. I don’t follow this league much and I’m not sure what her role is or who she is but I think she should have a good hard look at herself.

 

[Earthmover]

Clayton Homes would surely be unlikely to see the field again. Sounding like a 6-8 weeks job + doubled as it’s a granny. Would put him over the life

Haven’t heard of a player yet who upon reaching the suspension threshold, has appealed it and lost. They’re welcomed back with a don’t do it again.

 

[Kilonewton]

Intentionally striking is a yellow not a red.

According to the umpire I stood next to yesterday.

Sounds correct based on the descriptions given on here.

Page 20
https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2024-12/AFL VIC COUNTRY RULES 2025 Final_1.pdf

 

[Jack Doolan]

I watched the video and what that lady did is quite a disgrace. In relation to the beers. If they weren’t allowed beers then they should have been told prior to going up. The way she snatched it off him when he ran up and celebrated was just embarrassing. Made a big thing out of a little thing. Maybe tell him to hide it behind his back instead. Then if the rumours of what she said to the player who was carded are true then that is bad from her to. Yes what he did was no good and he should and will cop a punishment. But there is a time and a place. Give him his medal and then go up to him after the presentation not right in the middle of the presentation when everyone is looking at you. He got a yellow card (not saying this is adequate and I thought it should’ve been a red) but he copped his punishment in the game. I wonder if she went and had a chat to the umpires as well. I don’t follow this league much and I’m not sure what her role is or who she is but I think she should have a good hard look at herself.

I agree if she hadn’t made a big deal out of the can I doubt anyone would have even noticed it
Poor managers tend to focus on inconsequential matters

 

[Jack Doolan]

Sorry, but that’s crap.

If you don’t see anything, you don’t send a bloke off under a yellow card. You don’t guess.

You can see in the video the umpire is looking right at it when it happens

 

[Truck]

I agree if she hadn’t made a big deal out of the can I doubt anyone would have even noticed it
Poor managers tend to focus on inconsequential matters

A pretty amazing achievement by the Burra all the same. To double their score in the final qtr is incredible.
Going off the live stream Joel Mullen looked to turn it on in the last qtr.

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

I watched the video and what that lady did is quite a disgrace. In relation to the beers. If they weren’t allowed beers then they should have been told prior to going up. The way she snatched it off him when he ran up and celebrated was just embarrassing. Made a big thing out of a little thing. Maybe tell him to hide it behind his back instead. Then if the rumours of what she said to the player who was carded are true then that is bad from her to. Yes what he did was no good and he should and will cop a punishment. But there is a time and a place. Give him his medal and then go up to him after the presentation not right in the middle of the presentation when everyone is looking at you. He got a yellow card (not saying this is adequate and I thought it should’ve been a red) but he copped his punishment in the game. I wonder if she went and had a chat to the umpires as well. I don’t follow this league much and I’m not sure what her role is or who she is but I think she should have a good hard look at herself.

She is in charge of the competition and has been for 7 plus years. I think she was fuming that her beloved dragons had just lost the un losable gf. Let her personal emotions boil over and should have had someone else present medals. Her husband had to look after kid who was knocked out hence her being on the ground at quarter time in the thick of it. I think it’s time to say goodbye Caz

 

[rkjc22]

She is in charge of the competition and has been for 7 plus years. I think she was fuming that her beloved dragons had just lost the un losable gf. Let her personal emotions boil over and should have had someone else present medals. Her husband had to look after kid who was knocked out hence her being on the ground at quarter time in the thick of it. I think it’s time to say goodbye Caz

She was wearing the green umpires escort vest most of the day Crazy. I laughed at how on the biggest day they put someone who would have no ability to stop someone charging the umpires in the role.

Then she did the medals and I worked out who she was