Port Adelaide‘s upset win over fierce city rivals the Crows has been overshadowed by more umpiring controversy, with the AFL‘s much maligned ARC system under fire around the footy world. Zak Butters (37 disposals) and Jason Horne-Francis (29, one goal) led the way in the Power’s impressive 26-point victory.
But the decision to allow a goal for Adelaide’s Ben Keays to stand in the final term – after the ball clearly crossed the line for a behind moments earlier – has been branded “unacceptable from viewers. Crows forward Riley Thilthorpe’s shot at goal went over for an obvious behind but was completely missed by the boundary umpire. And play was allowed to continue as the ball bounced back into the field of play.
Port Adelaide’s (L) win was overshadowed by an umpiring howler that has been panned around the AFL world after officials missed a clear behind (R) seconds before the Crows kicked a goal. Pic: Getty/Fox Footy
(Getty)
Keays was awarded a holding free kick right next to the posts seconds later and booted an easy goal that should never have eventuated. It came almost 30 seconds after the initial effort from Thilthorpe, but a mid-season tweak to the ARC system meant the officials were powerless to intervene.
A howler in St Kilda’s game against West Coast earlier this year saw AFL footy boss Greg Swann amend the rules so the ARC can’t stop the game once the ball goes back into play. But commentators and fans were filthy that the officials kept getting clear and obvious decisions wrong after describing the incident as “the worst call of the year”.
AFL fans fume over ‘inexcusable’ umpiring howler
“That is inexcusable,” triple premiership Richmond legend Jack Riewoldt said on Fox Footy. “We’re seven weeks away from finals. We’ve seen sides not make finals because we’ve got the wrong call or a touch on the goal line.
“The goal umpire is standing there – we have the technology… There was 20 seconds to look at this and get this call right. That is not good enough.”
AFL commentators and fans were incensed by Adelaide’s controversial goal in the final term of Saturday night’s loss to the Power. Pic: Getty
(Mark Brake via Getty Images)
Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley claimed the umpiring howlers were happening far too regularly and called on the AFL to do something about it immediately. “20 seconds (from when Keays was awarded the free kick to goaling) is enough time. We’ve seen it almost in real time,” Hinkley said on Fox Footy.
“You’ve got to be able to fix that – surely. I just get frustrated with these things still happening in our game – I don’t think we should have to be putting up with them.” Fans were equally outraged after labelling it ‘amateur hour’ from the AFL officials.
with AAP