LYON RESPONDS TO PENDLEBURY’S “NONSENSICAL” MEDIA COMMENTS
0Lyon responds to Pendlebury’s “nonsensical” media comments
Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury says the AFL’s playing cohort are clear on the league’s umpire dissent crackdown. Brisbane defender Harris Andrews and Hawthorn pair Jack Gunston and Tom Mitchell were all involved in 50 metre penalties for putting their arms out when questioning an umpire’s decision during Round 5. Both decisions were labelled correct by AFL GM of Football Brad Scott. while several other incidents where players were seen raising their arms after an umpire’s call went unpunished. Pendlebury believes the media have blown the issue out of proportion. “I feel like the media is the last group to understand it. The players all have a handle on it.” he said. “The coaches pretty clearly say we know what to expect. but it’s the media and guys commentating games of football that seem to have a big issue with it and then that goes into the public forum because it gets spoken about. “As players. we are so clear that anything we do will be 50.” Speaking on SEN Breakfast. Garry Lyon labelled Pendlebury’s comments “nonsensical”. “Of course they (the media) are (the last group to understand the rule).” Lyon said in response to Pendlebury’s claim. “We interviewed James Sicily a minute after the game and asked him – these players that are so clear according to Pendlebury – no idea. “That is the most nonsensical thing I’ve ever heard. blame the media for the dissent debate that’s going on at the moment. “The media – who pay Pendlebury’s wages it’s incumbent upon us to be able to commentate and commentate right. “On Thursday night. we hear one umpire say this and then for the next five games we watch it not being (paid) – so that’s the media’s fault. is it? “I mean. God help me.” Sicily admitted he was unsure on the umpire dissent rule speaking after Hawthorn’s win over Geelong on Eater Monday. “It’s a difficult one. I feel like if it’s not demonstrative … sometimes it’s just a reflex. because it’s been that way for so long.” he told Fox Footy. “I suppose the rule is there to implement what they’re trying to implement. we’ve got to try and respect it as much as possible. “But it’s definitely hard when games get as tight as they do. emotions are high. “To be honest. I’m not clear on it.” Scott clarified the league’s crackdown on umpire dissent and disrespect. “Our message to players is that when an umpire pays a free kick. accept it and move on and our message to umpires is we encourage you to continue to pay free kicks or 50 metre penalties where players have shown dissent.” the former North Melbourne coach said. 'I've gotta be careful with what I say here...' Adelaide's Elliott Himmelberg on umpire dissent and how the players are adapting to it. pic.twitter.com/op5UfS8N18 — SEN SA 1629 (@1629senSA) April 20. 2022
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