The Adelaide Crows may feel they were dudded by a contentious umpiring decision in Thursday night’s game against Hawthorn in Launceston.

In the second quarter, Crows defender Josh Worrell was sprinting back to chase down a loose ball when he opted to fist the Sherrin through for a rushed behind.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Worrell punched the ball through from the edge of the 9-metre goalsquare, which is the cut-off mark for where players can rush a behind providing they are under pressure from an opposition player.

Hawthorn forward Nick Watson was hot on his tail, but the field umpire ruled Worrell was too far out from goal to be rushing a behind, and awarded a shot on goal to Watson.

“They’ve found a free kick outside the 9m area,” commentator Matt Hill said on Kayo Sports.

Watch the moment in the video above

David King said: “I just wonder if you can review this. It looked inside the 9m. You can’t rush the ball through from outside the 9m no matter what pressure.

“If you take it through, it’s a free kick. It’s all about where this ball is first touched. It clears the pack, off hands, oh it’s line ball. Gee it’s a big call.

“Umpire in a great position so you can’t be critical. He’s in the perfect spot, side on, he makes the call. You know what, you can’t overrule him. He couldn’t be in a better spot, lateral.

“You can hate it if you’re a Crows supporter and love it if you’re a Hawks supporter.”

Jack Riewoldt added: “It’s a good decision. You have to back him in.”

Watson had three attempts to kick the goal including one that saw him punt the ball on the roof of UTAS Stadium, before he eventually snapped through the goal.

Adelaide dominated the first quarter but the Hawks mounted a comeback in the second term, kicking five goals to one to take a 13-point lead into halftime.

In a major blow, Crows star Izak Rankine limped off with an apparent calf injury after a strong first half.

Hawthorn went on to claim a 75 to 66 victory to move up to third on the ladder early on in Round 11, while the Crows remain mid-table.

Read related topics:Adelaide