The Australian Football League (AFL) leadership has always frowned upon players who make contact with or remonstrate with the umpires. It sends a terrible message to young football players that it is acceptable to do this. So, when there is an incident involving an umpire and a player on the field, the AFL will come down heavy on the player.

One of the league's serial villains, Toby Greene, had found himself in hot water over the weekend when he bumped into one of the umpires. TV vision shows Toby remonstrating with the umpire at three-quarter time, and then he bumps the umpire as he walks past. The umpire appears surprised and turns away to absorb the contact.

Commentators are mixed as to whether he should be suspended or not. Some say the bump was accidental, and others say it was a deliberate and demonstrative action. I agree with the latter, and it won't be whether he gets suspended, but for how long he will be suspended. A spell on the sidelines of two to three weeks is on the cards.

It couldn't come at a worse time for his team. It is finals time, and Toby's team will go into next weeks semi-final without one of their star players. Perhaps he should have thought of this before he bumped into the umpire.