Sydney coach John Longmire says co-captain Dane Rampe will learn from a couple of bad mistakes he made last Friday night at the SCG.
The AFL has issued the Swans with a ‘please explain’ in response two incidents – with Rampe under fire for telling an umpire he talks “like a little girl” plus bizarrely scaling a goal post during a chaotic after-the-siren finish.
Rampe leapt onto a post and started climbing as Essendon midfielder David Myers unsuccessfully attempted to slot a match-winning goal from beyond the 50m arc.
AFL laws stipulate that players must not intentionally shake any post but umpire Andre Gianfagna warned Rampe and ordered him to come down, rather than award a free kick in the goal square that would have ensued the Bombers snatched victory.
The defender’s other misdeed came in the second quarter when he fumed at whistle-blower Jacob Mollison, frustrated over the fact he didn’t hear a call to play on.
Longmire lamented Rampe’s attempt at banter, which was branded “disrespectful” by Essendon great Tim Watson, but defended his skipper’s character.
“It was a pretty poor choice of words,” Longmire told reporters on Monday.
“He knows.
“You address it and move on. That’s all you can do as a player and coach – look at that, speak about it and get on with the next thing.
“He’s a real quality person. He made a couple of mistakes, he’ll learn from that and move on.”
The 28-year-old Rampe, a local product who was snapped up in the 2012 draft and has since become one of the league’s best key defenders, was appointed co-captain alongside Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy for this season.
“He’s had a fantastic year. He’s been sensational as co-captain of this footy club and is playing really well,” Longmire said.
“You always learn, whether you’re a coach or player.”
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan praised Gianfagna’s “practical” call not to penalise Rampe but some pundits have queried that decision, which ultimately decided the result of the game.
Longmire is certain Rampe won’t be doing any more climbing during his AFL career.
“I spoke to him on Saturday morning and he said I ‘just genuinely didn’t know the rule’,” Longmire said.
“I said ‘well you do now and it’d be best to stay away from goal posts in the future’.
“It was a pretty brief conversation and, it’s be fair to say, I wouldn’t expect him to do it in the future.”