Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has responded to photographs of umpire headshots within the changerooms final week, admitting he was baffled by the general public response.
The Dockers had pictures of all 4 area umpires seen to broadcast cameras of their rooms throughout their win over North Melbourne, one thing that was picked up by each broadcasters and wider nationwide media.
Fox Footy’s Jack Riewoldt was amused by the pictures on the time, labelling them “mugshots”, whereas others have talked about they might be displayed in an try and get an edge with the umpires.
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The umpire ‘mugshots’ final week. Seven
Longmuir felt the protection of the pictures was making “a mountain out of a mole hill”, saying it is one thing they’ve carried out for many of his time on the membership.
“It wasn’t a selected tactic, somebody simply determined to place them up someplace totally different,” the Freo coach mentioned after his aspect’s win over Essendon on Thursday evening.
“It’s astonishing it bought picked up final week and it was made one thing of.
“We have been doing it for 4 years I reckon. There’s nothing sinister about it.
“We would like our gamers and employees to know who’s umpiring the sport. It is to not get a profit the fallacious manner or proper manner.”
Freo coach Justin Longmuir. by way of Getty Pictures
The pictures have been reportedly not seen to cameras earlier than the Essendon sport. They have been doubtless hidden given the commotion.
Nevertheless, they’ve been seen throughout Fremantle video games at Optus Stadium earlier within the yr.
Freo was far too robust for a battered Essendon on Thursday evening, choosing up a 41-point win.
Star ruckman Luke Jackson dominated, successful 48 hit-outs and kicking three objectives to go together with 21 disposals, whereas midfielder Caleb Serong discovered 35 touches and kicked two himself.