NORTH Albury coach Jason Akermanis has been slapped with a $2000 fine for breaching the Ovens and Murray’s code of conduct.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In one of the league’s heftiest sanctions, the outspoken Brownlow medallist was fined $1000 for slamming the tribunal’s decision to clear Wodonga’s Sam Wortmann of striking him in a match at Bunton Park earlier this month.
Akermanis said he was “disgusted” with the verdict.
“It’s just unacceptable — the video footage is conclusive,” Akermanis said at the time.
“I can’t tell how disgusted I am.
“He punched me.”
Akermanis was fined another $1000 yesterday for making public comment on radio before the hearing.
Half of the fines were suspended until the end of next season.
Since the outburst, the league has released a statement reminding clubs they “must not publicly comment” on the contents of a written report or a charge prior to a tribunal hearing.
Corowa-Rutherglen coach Bryce Campbell also felt the wrath of the league yesterday.
He was fined $500 for commenting on the umpires after the Roos’ 17-point win over Wangaratta at John Foord Oval on June 21.
“I’m not sure the best way to put it, but I thought the some of the umpiring decisions, especially early on, cost us goals that weren’t there at all,” Campbell said after the victory.
“The decisions they paid against us hurt us more than it ever has this year.
“That’s probably the first time I’ve ever really spoken about the umpires, I’m not like that — that’s the frustrating thing.”
The league suspended $250 of Campbell’s fine.
Akermanis’ fine is the biggest since Yarrawonga full-forward Brendan Fevola was hit with a $1000 fine in 2012 after a mid-game rant on Twitter where he labelled umpires a “joke”.