Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters has a date with the AFL Tribunal, after the Match Review Officer cited the midfielder for abusive and insulting language towards an umpire.
The umpire at the centre of the furore, Nick Foot, has claimed that Butters said: "How much are they paying you?”
It is understood Butters will claim he said words to the effect of: "Why are you paying that?"
The Tribunal, in what looms as a rather classic case of 'he said, she said', will sit on Tuesday, at a time yet to be determined.
The exchange occurred in the third quarter of the Power's clash with the Saints, after a contentious free kick in St Kilda's favour. Foot paid a 50-metre penalty as recompense for the alleged abuse, which made the resultant set shot, a certainty.
It comes as the MRO also cited Geelong utility Mark O'Connor for rough conduct, with his hit on prized Eagles recruit Willem Duursma deemed as careless conduct, high contact and medium impact - a combination that delineates a one-week ban.
In a rarity, Saints recruit Tom de Koning was fined $1500 for staging, which can be reduced to $1000 with an early plea.
In the game's immediate aftermath, Butters was steadfast in his assertion that he said nothing to warrant the initial penalty, let alone the subsequent investigation.
"I know what I said, and I didn't say anything bad," Butters told Channel Seven, post-match.
“I'd love to know the language that I said, because I went up to him after the game and obviously just to have a chat — like any two humans do,” Butters said.
“He said he didn't want to speak to me. All I said was: ‘How was that a free kick?' He gave it 50, and said I'm on report.
“I had a few teammates right next to me, Ollie Wines. I'm curious to follow that one up, because I'm never going to say anything bad to the umpire. I just want to follow up and ask what he thought I said from his end.
“Genuinely no swear words (or) any bad language. That's why I was curious and obviously a bit frustrated, because it led to a goal.
“I feel like I'm a pretty honest bloke out there and have a good relationship with most umpires. I'm sure the club will deal with that."
In a statement made on their website, the Power used strong language to convey their position, and announce their plans to fight the charge.
"The Port Adelaide Football Club will defend in the strongest possible way the allegations made by AFL umpire Nick Foot against Butters.
Port Adelaide believes the words used by Butters were misheard and misconstrued from what was actually said.
Acting club captain Butters is unambiguously adamant on what was said and the club strongly supports him and his position.
Former club captain and Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines was standing next to Butters and Foot at the time of the exchange and will provide a witness statement in support of Butters.
Port Adelaide is also disappointed that umpire Foot dismissively refused Butter's attempt to seek clarification post-game, as captain of the club."
While not “siding” with the filth, nor implying that the phrase “how much are they paying you” was actually uttered……
Hands up anyone who has not had that very thought after a “controversial” decision (or choice not to make a decision). ……