AFL umpire Daniel Johanson had to be assisted from the ground after colliding with Western Bulldogs star Ed Richards in the first quarter of the club’s clash with Port Adelaide.
The umpire threw the ball up in the centre to restart play after a goal, and backed out afterwards as they do every single time.
But Port’s Willem Drew and Richards were in that space jostling for positioning at the stoppage.
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AFL umpire Daniel Johanson smashed into by Ed Richards. Fox Footy
Drew managed to sneak around the umpire, but Richards wasn’t so lucky, ploughing into Johanson’s back.
“The umpire’s hurt here, they might have to hold this up for a second,” commentator Dwayne Russell told Fox Footy.
“They are supposed to keep that area behind the umpire clear so the umpire can back out.”
Johanson went down to a knee, clearly in pain as play was stopped.
The Port Adelaide doctor then came out onto the ground and helped Johanson from the field.
He did return to the game late in the first quarter.
The AFL will still be furious with the collision, given they have cracked down strongly on incidental umpire contact.
In particular, the AFL has called out players attempting to use the umpire as a shield at stoppages to create space between them and their opponent, exactly like Drew and Richards were attempting to do.
AFL umpire Daniel Johanson down and hurt. Fox Footy
The incident also didn’t stop Richards from positioning in the same spot alongside Ollie Wines later in the corner, with both having to duck in opposite directions around the umpire.
Players routinely receive $1,500 fines for making incidental contact with umpires. The fines ramp up for each subsequent offence the same player makes.
The AFL can also refer players directly to the tribunal for excessive incidents for greater fines or potentially suspension.
Carlton midfielder Adam Cerra was taken to the tribunal for a fourth instance of careless contact with an umpire in 2025, where he was slapped with a $5500 fine.
The AFL changed the rule after over 110 instances of careless umpire contact occurred across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, multiple of which led to umpire concussions.
Richards will likely face a hefty financial sanction on Saturday.