Man Of His Word Brings Up Milestone
The Age
Saturday July 29, 2006
IT'S often said about football umpires that if you didn't notice them, they probably did a good job. Darren Goldspink is the exception to that rule - and not simply because of the fluorescent umpire's clothing he's had to wear in recent years.
On the eve of officiating his 350th match, Goldspink has spoken for the first time about the furore that erupted over comments he allegedly made to two Geelong players, Paul Chapman and Gary Ablett, in round 15."I own a newsagency, so when the papers hit the footpath (and) I turned over a bundle ... it had something about umpires on the back," said Goldspink yesterday. "I thought, 'Who's in trouble here?', and had a closer look and there was a picture of me."Not for the first time in his career, Goldspink found himself at the centre of a storm, this time after Geelong claimed he had sworn and directed aggressive comments towards Chapman and Ablett.Geelong chief executive Brian Cook wrote to the AFL, expressing concern about Goldspink's comments. It was alleged by Cook that Goldspink swore at Chapman and, in a separate exchange, said to Ablett: "Why don't you get a kick?"The AFL looked into the matter but took no action against Goldspink. In fact, chief executive Andrew Demetriou went so far as to encourage "individuality" among the umpiring fraternity.So, what did Goldspink say that so riled the Cats?"Paul and I had some words on the ground," he said. "Rather than pay a free kick, I just thought it was appropriate we have a bit of a chat."We did exchange words and those words will be left out on the ground."The AFL moved swiftly to limit the damage."The AFL asked me for an account of what happened, which I gave to them and Andrew Demetriou and (football operations manager) Adrian Anderson have dealt with it," Goldspink said. "I think what's said between umpires and players on the ground is where it should stay."Having given away football as a 16-year-old after realising he "probably wasn't going anywhere", Goldspink took up umpiring as a way of earning some pocket money. He progressed quickly and by 1986 was on the VFL's senior list.He officiated in his first senior game in 1989 and since then has been named the All-Australian umpire three times, including last year, and has umpired five grand finals."I wanted to play - I used to kick the footy in the street and think I was Malcolm Blight - but you get to a point and ... rather than walk away from footy, umpiring was a great way to stay fit, to still be involved and part of the game."He freely admits his style is different to other AFL umpires, but says when you are officating in the senior ranks, you have to be authoritative."Obviously I've made some mistakes over my career ... I think the last one was in about 1998," he said, with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. "I don't regret anything I've said because at the time that's the way you think it should be handled."Sometimes the tone of (my) voice could be lowered a little, but that's just the way it is."AFL director of umpiring Jeff Gieschen said the hallmark of Goldspink's long umpiring career was his ability to make tough decisions."He's been a great decision-maker," Gieschen said. "He calls it as he sees it and if there's a free kick to be paid at the first second of the first quarter or the last second of a grand final, you know Darren Goldspink's got the courage to pay it."His milestone game is the match between the Cats and Roos at Manuka Oval tomorrow.
© 2006 The Age