Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir addresses ‘umpire mugshot' controversy
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says he's astonished the use of umpire mugshots has caused a stir, revealing his club have been doing it for the past four years.
Eyebrows were raised last week during Fremantle's six-point win over North Melbourne when vision emerged from the Dockers' change rooms showing photos of the umpires plastered on the wall.
The tactic is also used by some other AFL clubs to help players understand who is umpiring the match that day.
Some experts questioned whether it was a tactic to help players know the style of adjudicating they can expect for the game.
Longmuir was shocked the topic had become a big talking point.
'Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill,' Longmuir said following Fremantle's 41-point win over Essendon on Thursday night.
'It wasn't a specific tactic — someone just decided to put 'em up somewhere different,' he said.
'It's astonishing that it got picked up last week and it was made something of.
'We've been doing it for four years I reckon, so there's nothing sinister about it.
'We like our players and staff to understand who's umpiring the game. It's not to get a benefit.'
The detail was picked up Channel 7's Nick Riewoldt on The Agenda Setters.
'I saw this from the weekend, found it interesting,' Riewoldt said earlier in the week.
'They're clearly trying to arm the players with the umpires' names. They look like mugshots, those pics.
'But I reckon the players have got enough to worry about, don't they? Without trying to memorise umpires' names.'
Craig Hutchison lauded the idea: 'I think it's smart — trying to get an edge.'
Meanwhile on Thursday, Fremantle (9-5) posted their fifth win on the trot with the 16.8 (104) to 9.9 (63) triumph over Essendon.
Star Dockers recruit Shai Bolton ruffled a few feathers when he pointed Essendon players in the direction of the scoreboard during the second quarter, with the scoreboard reading 51-28 at the time.
'I didn't see that, but I like the edge he plays with,' Longmuir said.
'I think largely Shai valued the right things tonight. I thought his pressure and contests were really strong from the get-go.
'He plays with a bit of flair and he likes to get in the opposition's face. I didn't see the pointing at the scoreboard, but I don't mind the way he played.'
Luke Jackson was the standout player of Thursday's match, with the former Demon racking up 48 hitouts, 10 clearances, 21 disposals and three goals opposed to Essendon debutant Vigo Visentini.
Caleb Serong also had a big night with 35 disposals, seven clearances, 783m gained and two goals.
Veteran Nat Fyfe, who had spent the previous two games as the sub, earned a rare start but managed just 11 disposals and one clearance before being subbed out in the final quarter.
Fyfe spent periods stationed in attack to help fill the void left by Sam Switkowski (hamstring), and Longmuir was happy with the former captain's efforts.
'I thought he ran some really good patterns,' Longmuir said.
'I was really happy with the way he approached the role. I thought some of his physicality through the middle of the ground was great.'
Fremantle have the chance to make it six wins on the trot when they host St Kilda on Sunday week.
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