Tigers back captain over 'unfortunate' ump contact, Suns 'pumped' with winRichmond coach Adem Yze believes there was nothing untoward in his captain's run-in with an umpire
By Michael Whiting
afl.com.au
Aug 2, 2025RICHMOND coach Adem Yze says Toby Nankervis will be worried about making contact with an umpire, but believes the incident was not against the rules.
The Tigers skipper collided heavily with the adjudicating umpire at a centre bounce during Saturday's 84-point loss to Gold Coast, sending the man in yellow clattering to the People First Stadium deck.
Opponent Jarrod Witts almost tripped over the prone umpire in a bizarre passage of play.
Speaking after the match, Yze felt like it was an unfortunate set of circumstances.
"He'll obviously be worried about it, but when we looked at the vision he wasn't standing behind that protected space," Yze said.
"The ball's just landed in that spot. It's unusual for the ball to land back on the umpy's head.
"The poor umpy got hit by both rucks … I don't think that's against the rules.
"It's just unfortunate. That's just a footy act, an accident."
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1378389/richmond-tigers-coach-adem-yze-defends-toby-nankervis-umpire-contact-damien-hardwick-absolutely-pumped