It's an act which has divided the football world, while some believe that Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard's push on an umpire should be nothing more than a fine, others believe it should see the 29-year-old suspended.
The incident occurred on the eve of halftime during Saturday's clash between Collingwood and Gold Coast when Suns forward Ben Long hit Maynard off the ball causing the latter to fall to the ground and a melee to break out.
At the halftime siren, Maynard rushed at Long pushing an umpire out of the way to remonstrate verbally and physically.
Speaking on Nine's The Sunday Footy Show, former Richmond star Nathan Brown said he would be shocked if the match review officer handed Maynard a suspension.
"I'd be staggered if he gets a week," Brown said.
"I think it is just a fine for what he has done there.
"I feel like Long has used the umpire as a screen."
Maynard and Miller both fined for mine despite the ump crash headlines …
Impossible to prove deliberate intent given the crush of players.
Long in far more trouble, and rightly so.— Mark Stevens (@StevoMedia) July 4, 2026
Essendon legend and fellow The Sunday Footy Show panelist Matthew Lloyd disagreed.
"I understand both sides of it where you say there is no intent, no malice but... what they do here stands the rest of time," Lloyd said.
"I think any time you touch an umpire, whether (or not) there was no intent or malice, he deserves to miss a week as well for it. Just to make a statement to rest of the whole industry and the game at all levels that you do not put your hands on an umpire in any circumstance.
"I think the game has to look at that and be really strong on that.
Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton added that the most important aspect of the case would be for the AFL to implement consistency and clarity.
"I think which ever way you go, it's going to have to be 100 per cent consistent forever," Brereton said.
"What we get in situations like this when they're in their genesis is we give them their penalty and then we fade in and out of that adjudication or thereabouts.
"Whatever happens must be the standard forever more."
“Appeared to make intentional contact with an umpire …” 😬
Brayden Maynard could be facing a lengthy suspension after this incident at half-time on the Gold Coast.
📺 Watch #AFLSunsPies on ch.504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/f6TcuhiaD9 pic.twitter.com/KelMegLtx5— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 4, 2026
Speaking after the match on the Fox Footy broadcast, Maynard commented on the melee between the two clubs and the incident with Long.
"If you're gonna come hit me cheaply, you're going to get something back," Maynard said. "It's all part of the game, I didn't mind it really. I think I might have a broken rib but it's all part of footy. We move on."
The two players were seen shaking hands after the game.
Collingwood is facing a $20,000 fine for the incident, given it will be the fifth time a Magpie has made contact with an umpire this season.
Gold Coast received a $20,000 fine for its fifth umpire contact incident earlier in the year.
Suns midfielder Touk Miller also made contact with the umpire during the same incident. The punishment for a sixth fine will be decided by the AFL this week.
