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Important SN update for SouthlandDimma's middle finger salute we all missed
SEN • June 24th, 2025 10:40 am
Damien Hardwick admits he might be in a spot of trouble after vision of him giving a middle finger salute to an umpire during the Suns defeat to the Giants emerged.
Late on in Gold Coast’s seven-point loss on Sunday, a late call went against Hardwick’s side.
It was a moment the coach believed could have reignited their late push to snatch victory and his reaction in the box said it all.
It was a moment the coach believed could have reignited their late push to snatch victory and his reaction in the box said it all.
“It was a curious day for umpiring, Damien. There were three different incidents,” Gerard Whateley said when Hardwick joined AFL 360 via video.
"Oh was it Gerard, was it?!" Hardwick quipped with a smile.
Asked about the boundary throw, Hardwick continued: “I love Nathan Williamson the umpire that made the decision, I thought we’re gonna have one last crack at it so when he called boundary throw I was like ‘What? What?”
Vision of Hardwick – clearly unimpressed – inside the coaches’ box was then played, Hardwick and the entire panel seeing the funny side.
“You had to you blokes, you’ve killed me with that,” he said.
“It should have been insufficient intent, we know that, I think. But at the end of the day, the game was dead and buried, so we move on pretty quickly.
“Although, the (middle) finger salute might get me in a bit of trouble.”
Flipping the bird has been a common “offence” this season with Geelong star Bailey Smith copping a fine for making the gesture at fans after their clash against Adelaide.
Harley Reid was also in hot water for a middle finger directed at Brisbane fans.
Both copped $1000 fines.
