Sport
1 May, 2026
FOOTY: Connick stays on sidelines
Connick was charged after the round one match with Sea Lake Nandaly and was banned for two matches after entering an early guilty plea.
BIRCHIP Watchem coach Ash Connick will miss Saturday’s crucial clash with ladder-leading Wedderburn after being suspended for abusing an umpire.
Connick was charged after the round one match with Sea Lake Nandaly and was banned for two matches after entering an early guilty plea.
He has already missed the Bulls’ one-point loss to Calder United in round two’s grand final rematch.
Former Feeny medallist Robbie Lee and local publican and former premiership coach of Cheltenham in the Southern Football Netball League Des Ryan coached against the Lions and will lead the team against Wedderburn.
Birchip Watchem has lost both of its matches this season and meets a Redback side that is flying high after beating the Lions in round one and thumping Charlton by 153 points in round two.
The Bulls will meet both the Tigers and Lions three times this season due to North Central’s uneven draw.
A loss to Wedderburn would put Birchip Watchem under serious pressure, given a tough fixture which will see them face Sea Lake and Calder United in the final two rounds of the season.
Connick was charged with “using abusive, insulting or obscene language towards or in relation to an umpire”, with the offending comment picked up on audio of the video recording of the match.
It is understood he has expressed his remorse for letting the club down.
Connick took over coaching the Bulls last season after winning a Bendigo league premiership with Sandhurst in 2024 and took them to the grand final against Calder United.
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