There was an instant outcry bemoaning the fact that the umpires’ crackdown on dissent had flipped into Vaudeville.

Former North Melbourne premiership player David King has made clear his frustration at this season’s officious umpiring.

“It’s not the mistake, it’s a secondary mistake. Chad Warner bounces the ball, runs eight metres and the umpire calls too far,” King said.

“Already there’s anger… so that’s one umpiring error that becomes a 50-metre penalty and a goal off the back of the umpire making one error, compounding into two errors and a goal.”

Warner was more philosophical: “Umpires miss things and pay others. You’ve gotta not give away 50 and just get on with it.”

As a young man putting himself in the middle of big moments, there was none bigger moment than passing the ball to Buddy Franklin for his 1000th goal in round two against Geelong at a packed SCG.

“That was the best thing that’s happened in my career,” Warner said with obvious joy. “I’ve never seen anything like that and obviously never will again.

“It’s just an amazing thing to be a part of, kicking the ball to him. It was pretty crazy.”

If Warner had followed his instincts that moment would never have happened. His first thought was to have a shot for goal.

“He was in so much space. I just had to [pass Franklin the ball],” Warner said with a smile which will stay with him for a lifetime.

Warner quickly realised that despite his central role helping his superstar teammate achieve a piece of history, the 21-year-old was only an extra on Franklin’s stage as thousands of people invaded the ground.

Stuck with fellow midfielder Ollie Florent, the pair were let out of the ground and walked around Driver Ave to the change rooms amid surprised comments and selfies with fans.

“That was pretty funny,” Warner recalled. “We found ourselves at the Paddington end of the ground, we had to go through a race just to get out of the chaos. One of the security guards found us and showed us that way. It was a pretty good experience.”

In his third season as an AFL footballer, Warner has taken a big leap to become an integral part of the Swans’ midfield as they build towards another finals campaign.

That was obvious last Friday night when he was the leading possession winner as the Swans stormed home against Richmond.

Swans co-captain, veteran Luke Parker, is excited by Warner’s development as part of a young side.

“He’s a WA boy and his off-field attitude is exactly the same as on field,” Parker said. “He’s a million miles an hour at everything he does. If he chooses to do something he’s all in.

“He’s developed into a really key part of our midfield.”