- Line in the Sand Match
-
Line in the Sand match
Round 11, 2004
Hawthorn v Essendon
Hawthorn Essendon 12.8 (80) 24.10 (154) Date 5 June 2004 Venue MCG, Melbourne Attendance 42,682 Line in the Sand match is the unofficial title of the infamous Round 11, 2004 match between Australian football clubs Hawthorn and Essendon played at the MCG on Saturday, 5 June 2004.
A number of incidents in the third quarter led to some fights breaking out all over the ground eventually turning into a five minute bench-clearing brawl. Following the brawl, Essendon made a stand on the scoreboard, kicking 14 goals to Hawthorn's six to record a 74-point win.
18 players from both clubs faced the wrath of the AFL Tribunal on 8 and 9 June 2004 with record suspensions and fines handed out.
Contents
Background
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Hawthorn experienced a golden era by making every Grand Final from 1983 to 1989 and again in 1991, victorious on five occasions.
During this time, they came up against the Bombers on three occasions - 1983, 1984 and 1985. The Hawks comfortably won in 1983 and the Bombers followed up with back-to-back wins in 1984 and 1985. Throughout this decade, both clubs were known to play hard, attacking brands of football resulting in lots of biffs, bumps and brawls. It was during this decade that the rivalry between the two clubs really took hold, continuing to this day.
Essendon continued to intimidate opposition clubs in the late 1990s and into the early years of the 21st century, resulting in more Premiership success and a dominant era over Hawthorn. Essendon entered the match having won 9 of the previous 10 meetings between the two clubs, by an average margin of 39 points.
Prior to the match, the Olympic Torch entered the Melbourne Cricket Ground, venue for the 1956 Olympic Games, on the Australian leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. Just the night before, the torch entered Sydney's Telstra Stadium, venue of the 2000 Games, prior to the NRL match between the Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters.
During the match
Lead up to the brawl
Hawthorn players were allegedly directed at half time, by Club Director Dermott Brereton who played for the Hawks during the 1980s and early 1990s, to "draw a line in the sand"[1] and take a physical stand against the Bombers to make it clear that they wouldn't take the intimidation any longer. Brereton denied the allegation but admitted to advising senior players "to stand up to any Essendon aggression".[2]
Within the first two minutes of the third quarter, Mark Williams kicked Hawthorn's 6th goal of the match to cut Essendon's lead to 26 points.[3]
Following the centre bounce, several players were on the ground vigorously attempting to gain possession of the ball and clear it for their team. Mark Johnson of Essendon attempted to join in at a stoppage but was quickly removed by a number of Hawthorn players. This led to some wrestling and jumper punches amongst the players with approximately 16 players in the centre square at the time. Channel 10 commentators said that the spirit was "bubbling over a little". A free kick was awarded to Hawthorn and the ball was quickly kicked forward. The Hawks were unable to take a mark inside their forward 50 and the ball fell into Mark Bolton's hands who was able to clear for the Bombers. He kicked the ball along the southern side of the ground with the aim of reaching Jason Winderlich who, while attempting to mark close to the ground, copped a very hard knock from Hawthorn's Chance Bateman, possibly a knee or hip connecting with his head. A free kick was awarded to Winderlich who was forced from the ground under the blood rule.[4]
The brawl
A number of brawls broke out on the Great Southern Stand side of the centre square with many players getting involved. Players tackled each other to the ground, threw fist and jumper punches and wrestled with each other with Hawthorn's Richie Vandenberg and Lance Picioane particularly active and Essendon's Adam McPhee, Mark Johnson and Justin Murphy were keen to respond.[1] As Winderlich continued off the ground in the arms of trainers he was struck by Campbell Brown of Hawthorn, after the match described by Matthew Lloyd as "one of the most disgusting things I've seen on a football field". Channel 10 commentators described it as "the 1980s revisited", "unbelievable" and stated "we haven't seen these sort of scenes for a long time in AFL Football". Trainers, runners and some senior players were seen restraining and dragging their club's players away from opposition players, while Adam McPhee had to be restrained and given marching orders from Bruce Connor, Essendon's Head Physiotherapist, to receive attention to a bloodied eye.[5]
After the brawl
A few follow-up scuffles occurred but Essendon regained composure and hit back hard on the scoreboard, kicking 9 of the next 10 goals to extend the three-quarter time lead to 74 points. A 10-goal final quarter, 5 to each team, left the margin as it was at three-quarter time, with the Bombers recording a 74-point win.
The fallout (reports)
The fallout from the match was significant, with a record 18 players reported on a record 26 charges. Some players were reported by umpires on the field,[6] while the rest were cited on video evidence by Video Reports Officer Ian Robinson[7] and after an investigation conducted by the AFL's Investigations Officer Rick Lewis.[8]
Hawthorn
Player Charge John Barker Striking Adam McPhee, Essendon, in the third quarter.[6] Engaging in a melee during the third quarter.[8] Simon Beaumont Striking Justin Murphy during the third quarter. (Video evidence)[7] Misconduct in that on two occasions he thrust his head towards the face of Justin Murphy, Essendon, during the third quarter.[8] Engaging in a melee during the third quarter.[8] Campbell Brown Wrestling with Dean Rioli, Essendon, during the third quarter.[6] Striking Jason Winderlich, Essendon, in the third quarter.[6] Engaging in a melee during the third quarter.[8] Richard Vandenberg Striking Adam McPhee, Essendon, during the third quarter.[8] Misconduct in that he made unnecessary and unreasonable contact with his leg to Adam McPhee, Essendon, during the third quarter.[8] Engaging in a melee during the third quarter.[8] Lance Picioane Striking Adam McPhee, Essendon, during the third quarter.[8] Engaging in a melee during the third quarter.[8] Chance Bateman Engaging in a melee during the third quarter.[8] Peter Everitt Nick Holland Mark Williams Essendon
Player Charge Justin Murphy Alleged misconduct in that he headbutted Simon Beaumont during the third quarter. (Video evidence)[7] Engaging in a melee during the third quarter.[8] Jason Johnson Engaging in a melee during the third quarter.[8] Mark Johnson Adam McPhee Mark McVeigh Damien Peverill Dean Rioli Dean Solomon Andrew Welsh Tribunal outcomes
The Tribunal decisions were severe with five players suspended for a combined total of 16 matches[9] and players involved in the melee fined a combined total of $70,700,[10] the most from a single match in VFL/AFL history, and described by Tribunal Chairman Brian Collis, QC, as bringing "football into disrepute".[11]
Hawthorn
Richard Vandenberg, Lance Picioane, Campbell Brown and Simon Beaumont were suspended for a combined total of 15 matches[9] and melee fines totalled $36,700:[10]
Player Charge Outcome Richard Vandenberg Striking Adam McPhee Suspended for 3 matches Kneeing Adam McPhee Suspended for 3 matches Melee Fined $4,000 Lance Picioane Striking Adam McPhee Suspended for 4 matches Melee Fined $4,000 Campbell Brown Striking Jason Winderlich Suspended for 4 matches Melee Fined $4,000 Wrestling with Dean Rioli Fined $1,200 John Barker Striking Adam McPhee Cleared Melee Fined $4,500 Simon Beaumont Striking Justin Murphy Cleared Misconduct against Justin Murphy Suspended for 1 match Melee Withdrawn Chance Bateman Melee Fined $5,000 Peter Everitt Fined $5,000 Nick Holland Fined $5,000 Mark Williams Fined $4,000 Essendon
Justin Murphy was suspended for 1 match[9] and melee fines totalled $34,000:[10]
Player Charge Outcome Justin Murphy Head-butting Simon Beaumont Suspended for 1 match Melee Withdrawn Mark Johnson Melee Fined $6,500 Adam McPhee Fined $4,500 Dean Solomon Fined $4,500 Mark McVeigh Fined $4,000 Dean Rioli Fined $4,000 Damien Peverill Fined $3,500 Jason Johnson Fined $3,500 Andrew Welsh Fined $3,500 Match result
Round 11, 2004 Saturday, 5 June 2:10pm Hawthorn def. by Essendon MCG (Crowd: 42,682) 2.2 (14)
5.3 (33)
7.6 (48)
12.8 (80)Q1
Q2
Q3
Final6.4 (40)
10.5 (65)
19.8 (122)
24.10 (154)Umpires: Schmitt, Jeffery, Goldspink
Television broadcast: Network TenBateman 2, Everitt 2, Thompson 2, Williams 2, Beaumont, Hodge, Smith, Vandenberg Goals Lloyd 7, Lucas 3, Murphy 2, M. Johnson 2, Rioli 2, Allan, Alvey, Bolton, Henneman, J. Johnson, Misiti, Peverill, Solomon Smith, Hodge, Dixon Best Lucas, Lloyd, Solomon, Allan, J. Johnson, McPhee See The fallout (reports) Reports See The fallout (reports) See also
References
- ^ a b Hinds, Richard (7 June 2004). "Heavier blows to come for Hawks, Bombers". Sydney: The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/06/1086460175315.html.
- ^ Lines, Chris (6 June 2004). "AFL: I didn't order fight - Brereton". AAP Sports News (Australia). http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-95261082.html. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
- ^ Saturday Afternoon Football: Hawthorn v Essendon. Melbourne: Network 10. 5 June 2004. Event occurs at 1:22. http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/14937?Quarters=3.
- ^ Saturday Afternoon Football: Hawthorn v Essendon. Melbourne: Network 10. 5 June 2004. Event occurs at 2:50 - 3:50. http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/14937?Quarters=3.
- ^ Saturday Afternoon Football: Hawthorn v Essendon. Melbourne: Network 10. 5 June 2004. Event occurs at 5:33. http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/14937?Quarters=3.
- ^ a b c d "Round 11, 2004 Match Report". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 5 June 2004. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/matches/past_report.asp?yr=2004&round_no=11.
- ^ a b c "Murphy and Beaumont cited". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 6 June 2004. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=3570.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Nine Bombers on melee charges". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 8 June 2004. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=3578.
- ^ a b c "Murphy out, Hawks pay heavy price". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 9 June 2004. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=3583.
- ^ a b c "A fine day for the AFL". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 9 June 2004. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=3584.
- ^ "Hawks lose both players and respect". Melbourne: The Age. 11 June 2004. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/10/1086749836838.html. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
External links
- Bigpond TV "Hawks vs Bombers" - Video clip of Channel 10's television coverage, replayed on Fox Footy.
Essendon Football Club History • Premierships & Records • Players • Captains • Coaches • Awards • W. S. Crichton Medal • Leading Goalkickers
Captain: Jobe Watson • Coach: James Hird • Nickname: BombersHome grounds East Melbourne Cricket Ground (1897–1921) • Windy Hill (1922–91) • Princes Park (1993–97) • Melbourne Cricket Ground (1992+) • Docklands Stadium (2000+)Premierships (16) Seasons 1897 • 1898 • 1899 • 1900 • 1901 • 1902 • 1903 • 1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • 1909 • 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 • 1915 • 1918 • 1919 • 1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 1939 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 1949 • 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011Related articles Anzac Day clash • Carlton-Essendon AFL rivalry • Dreamtime at the 'G • Archer–Hird Medal • Line in the Sand MatchCategories:- 2004 in Australian rules football
- Sports controversies
- Brawls in team sports
- Australian Football League games
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
