'Just been ignored': Brad Scott claims umpires refusing simple request as Nate Caddy faces scrutiny for umpire contact
Essendon coach Brad Scott has claimed the AFL umpires are refusing to agree to one simple request with Nate Caddy facing scrutiny for umpire contact.
Early in the third quarter, Caddy was running into his defensive 50 as the Suns kicked deep. However, Caddy collided with umpire Robert O'Gorman with a loud groan heard through the microphone.
Umpire contact has been a big topic throughout the AFL during the past week after an edict was sent that players who have been reported four or more times could be sent to the tribunal.
READ MORE: Mahoney's exit sealed as Bulldogs exodus continues
READ MORE: Rival fumes as Aussie pounces on 'strange' rule
READ MORE: Worrying Konstas flaw exposed by latest duck
Caddy's collision put the issue in the spotlight again.
"There's a big collison off the ball ... in fact Caddy may have come off worse for wear," Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy.
"He was just trying to get to the contest, the umpire was didn't see him coming and started to move ... I'm not sure that's Nate Caddy's fault, he's just trying to get to the goal square as he's allowed to do and the umpire took two steps into his path."
Nate Caddy checks on field umpire Robert O'Gorman. Getty
Adam Simpson also sympathised with Caddy.
"They're both looking at the ball, that's what happens at the centre bounce as well," he said.
Post-match, Scott was defiant that Caddy should have nothing to worry about.
"No, not at all. The umpire contact, and I said during the week, is mostly coming from ball ups," he said.
Nate Caddy's collision is captured in Fox Footy's magnified view. Fox Footy
Scott, who was previously general manager of football at the AFL, went on to claim there's a way to stop the issue.
"I've lost count the number of times I've approached the AFL about moving the umpires out of the corridor. They sprint into the corridor and they stay there and that's clearly where we want to get the ball," he said.
"When I was at the AFL, I tried to get them to move out of the corridor and they still wouldn't so we've been at them to move out of the corridor and the last response I had from Steve McBurney was just pretend they're invisible.
"Well he wasn't invisible and unfortunately it took the wind out of Nate Caddy, it took 15 minutes to get him going. who's fault is it? Certainly not Nate Caddy."
Nate Caddy clutches at his ribs. Fox Footy
Caddy was seen clutching at his ribs after the collision, while the umpire ran off with his tongue out.
Scott said doctors attended to Caddy before he returned to the field. He also stated the AFL review centre ordered Essendon's doctor to go and assess the umpire.
Robert O'Gorman sticks his tongue out as he runs off. Fox Footy
The Essendon coach continued to rant about the umpire's out of the corridor request.
"They just refuse to do it ... who's responsible for this? Is it Nate Caddy? Because we lost a player for 15 minutes. And not only that, the ARC tells our doctor to go and assess the umpire ... and it's Nate Caddy's fault? I don't expect him to have anything to answer for," he said.
"We've put it on the agenda multiple times, and it's just been ignored."
