Former AFL umpire ‘Razor’ Ray Chamberlain has revealed why he can see Wayne Milera’s goal for the Adelaide Crows was overturned after Josh Rachele’s push. The Crows managed a one-point win over Port Adelaide on the weekend, but were left frustrated when Milera’s goal was overturned for a free-kick off the ball.
Rachele shoved Port defender Logan Evans in the back as Milera slotted a 50m goal for his side. However, the umpire didn’t pay the goal after deeming Rachele impeded the play with the push.
Former umpire Ray Chamberlain has revealed why Josh Rachele’s (pictured right) push was deemed a free-kick to overturn Wayne Milera’s goal. (Images: Getty Images/Fox Sports)
(Getty Images)
The whistle has divided fans. Many feel there has been hundreds of similar plays gone unpunished where the umpire has not intervened. Others felt the push wasn’t necessary and was a silly move from Rachele.
And former umpire Chamberlain said Rachele put himself in that position right in front of the umpire. “If you put yourself in a position where you make the umpire make the call, you run the risk of conceding a free-kick,” Chamberlain said.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon said he can understand why it was awarded, despite the same incident normally overlooked. “You can argue that’s a free-kick…front-on, no eyes for the footy, shoves him through the line, not hard, but he pushes him,” Lyon said.
And Chamberlain agreed: “Absolutely, it’s not like we can’t understand why the whistle went off. Rachele has put himself in a position where he has asked the umpire to make a call and it rolled up snake eyes.”
Although Chamberlain didn’t feel a whistle needed to go off to stop the goal. “I don’t think it reaches the threshold to warrant intervention,” Chamberlain added.
Adelaide Crows win thriller
Port Adelaide now fall to 3-5 after the one-point loss as the prepare to face the Western Bulldogs this weekend. “It’s hard to unpack,” Power coach Josh Carr said. “That’s a great game for all of our players to gain some some great learnings from (but) obviously we’re disappointed.”
Crows coach Matthew Nicks was thrilled with the win with the last couple of derbies producing for the fans. “There’s something special about these games … they just don’t disappoint,” Nicks said after the win.
Brayden Cook was the match-winner for the Crows having kicked the winning goal with 10 seconds left on the clock. The Crows face Richmond in the last game of the round with the possibility of moving into the top eight.
Adelaide Crows players celebrate a goal. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
(Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)