HOPPERS Crossing could gain a percentage boost after Yarraville-Seddon Eagles fielded an extra man for four minutes in their Western Region Football League division 1 clash on Saturday.
The Warriors won the contest comfortably by 86 points, but captain Brad Murphy ordered a head count on the insistence of teammate Jake Mutton and assistant coach Matt Walsh in the fourth quarter.
The players lined up and it was revealed that the Eagles had 18 men on the field of play, which is allowed under normal circumstances. But the Eagles had earlier received a yellow card and were permitted only 17 men for the remainder of the game.
The upshot is the Eagles could have their score re-set to zero at the point of the head count, but will keep any points produced thereafter, essentially gifting a valuable lift in percentage to the Warriors, who are fighting it out with St Albans in the race for a finals berth.
Murphy emphasised the importance of having a big win, one that “keeps our season alive”.
“Everyone had an opponent, so I went up to the umpire and asked can you call a head count,” he said. “The game stopped and sure enough they had 18 players on the field when they were only meant to have 17.
“They mucked up there and we’ve been told their score would be wiped to that time. It’s pretty handy for us, for our percentage.”
The incident that sparked the confusion was a heavy bump laid by Eagles veteran Clint Foreman on Warriors full-back Chris Latella.
Latella was left concussed on the ground and an ambulance was called to take him to hospital.
Foreman was reported over the incident and was scheduled to front the tribunal last night.
Eagles coach David Connell came to the defence of Foreman, saying the action of his player was reckless but not malicious, and that Foreman was remorseful immediately after laying the bump.
Murphy described the aftermath of the collision as a “horrible” sight.
“When you see your mate lying there with his arms stiff in the air, he’s frothing at the mouth and they’re putting a neck brace on him and he’s getting into an ambulance, it’s quite scary,” Murphy said.
“Chris is doing OK; he’s in hospital, he’s got all the feeling in his arms and legs and is moving around fine. He’s obviously not moving his neck too much because it’s stiff and sore.”
The Foreman incident could not take the gloss off Warrior forward Luke Wilson’s eight-goal haul.
“He’s had a great season,” Murphy said.
“He’s really wound back the clock to his younger years.”
Onballer Aaron Ramsay was able to shrug a heavy tag to pick up more than 30 possessions, while speedy half-forward Jarryd Ramsay was a constant threat and finished with five goals.
The Warriors face the Sunshine Kangaroos in a blockbuster at Hogans Road Oval on Saturday.
Favourite son Matthew Young will play his 300th game for the Warriors.
