AFL: Swan saves goal umpire from painful accident

Swans star Dane Rampe has survived an embarrassing apology after rescuing a goal umpire from an impending painful crash into the hoarding boards at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Umpire Rosie O'Dea was caught in the right place at the wrong time when she was confronted by a charging red and white runaway train – Rampe trying to chase down Bulldogs star Jake Stringer's kick on goal.

Unable to avoid a collision, the Sydney defender barrelled straight into young O'Dea and sent her hurtling towards the fence.

But showing the hands that have stopped their share of goals, Rampe at the last second clung on to O'Dea and saved her from certain injury and himself from an embarrassing gaffe in front of his own fans.