The AFL has taken no time at all to tick off the controversial score review that denied Richmond’s Tom Lynch a crucial goal in the elimination final, despite Tigers coach Damien Hardwick’s protests.
Lynch was awarded a goal by the on-field umpires, only for the ARC review system to deem that the ball had gone over the goal posts, overruling the call and awarding a behind.
The moment would prove crucial, with Brisbane taking the ball up the other end for a Joe Daniher goal to prevail by just two points.
Hardwick was blunt in his post-match media conference, saying the current technology in place for score reviews is ‘not good enough’.
“We’ve put a lot of money, and clearly it’s indecisive still,” Hardwick said, before questioning whether determining goals should again be put in the hands of the on-field umpires alone.
“We’ve got umpires. Pick which way you want to go… the technology is not to the level it needs to be, so either get it better or don’t have it.
“Why don’t we just let the umpires make the call? They’re paid to do a job. Either let them do a job, or don’t have them.”
Despite Hardwick’s frustration, the AFL took less than two hours after the final siren at the Gabba to approve the decision to award a behind.
“The ARC reviewed all the camera angles and it is viewed as a definitive behind. The correct call was made,” a statement released to The Age reads.
Speaking on Fox Footy, though, former great Jason Dunstall was highly sceptical of the decision, questioning how the evidence seen was sufficient to overturn the on-field call of goal.
“How can you definitively tell it went over the goalpost from the camera angles we were looking at? How you can say that’s definitive is beyond me,” Dunstall said.
According to the Hawthorn legend, Lynch and his teammates’ on-field reaction, appearing to believe he had missed, may have played a part in denying the Tigers the goal.
“Just having a look at the reaction from Tom Lynch when he’s kicked it, there’s no celebration. He thinks he’s missed. None of the Tigers’ players are celebrating,” Dunstall said.
“In my eyes, that’s telling me a big part of it; if I’m reviewing it and saying: ‘Look at the Richmond players’ reaction!’
“There’s no fist, no pump, nothing. None of the players running in. That’s not a bloke that’s just kicked a goal.
“The players, given the state of the game, you don’t think the Richmond players would have celebrated?”
The Lions await the winner of Melbourne’s qualifying final clash with Sydney at the MCG on Friday night.
Joe Daniher of the Lions celebrates the winning goal against Richmond. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Tigers’ bold call on rusty Dusty slammed
Kane Cornes has questioned Richmond’s decision to play an ’80 per cent fit’ Dustin Martin in their elimination final loss to Brisbane.
Playing his first game since a hamstring injury in Round 16, Martin finished with 15 disposals and a goal, and look well short of his game-breaking best.
Speaking on SEN on Friday morning, Cornes criticised the decision to select the triple Norm Smith Medallist as a ‘mistake’, describing Martin as a ‘liability’ when the match needed to be won in the final quarter.
“Your ears pricked up before the game when Damien Hardwick says he’s only going to be 80 per cent fit,” Cornes said.
“He was a bit of a liability last night, Dustin Martin, they didn’t want to get him on the ground in the vital moments.
“Just three touches [in the final quarter] – all of those in the defensive half; and for the last half of the last quarter they couldn’t or didn’t want to get him on the ground.
“So a warning to other coaches: injured players – regardless of how good they are and regardless of their reputation – doesn’t often work in finals, I don’t think.”
However, Cornes’ co-host David King had an alternate take, saying the presence of even an underdone Martin had an impact on Thursday night.
“Just the fact that he’s out there, he takes a match-up and you get the domino effect, you get lesser-ranked players against other talent in that Richmond forward line,” King said.
“You’d have to say the Richmond forward line functioned – they’ve finished with 16.8 – so I don’t agree with that opinion.
“I understand you’re hot on the decision to play him, but why wouldn’t you play him? What he’s done in finals, we haven’t seen a player like this before in finals.
“So when he’s declared fit to play, what, you don’t play him?”
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Simpkin claims Roos’ B&F
North Melbourne midfielder Jy Simpkin has claimed his second consecutive club best and fairest award.
Simpkin averaged nearly 27 disposals a match to be a shining light in a dismal season for the Roos, winning just two games.
The 24-year old polled 130 votes to finish well clear of runner-up Luke Davies-Uniacke (108), with Bailey Scott, rumoured to be heading to Geelong in the off-season, rounding out the top three with 98.
New coach Alastair Clarkson was in attendance at the official club function at the Melbourne Showgrounds, with number one draft pick Jason Horne-Francis honoured with the Best Young Player award.
While pipped for the best and fairest, emerging superstar Davies-Uniacke was presented the Glenn Archer Shinboner of the Year award.
Roos CEO resigns
North Melbourne CEO Ben Amarfio has become the latest high-profile Kangaroos figure to depart the club, resigning after three years at the post.
Amarfio joins football department boss Dan McPherson, assistant coaches Heath Younie and Anthony Rocca and list manager Glenn Luff in leaving the club during a turbulent season.
Roos president Sonja Hood praised Amarfio for his service, saying the club is in ‘its strongest financial position in its 153-year history’.
“Ben is one of the most talented and hard-working executives I know and his genuine care for his executive team and staff is something I have witnessed first-hand,” Hood said in a statement.
“We have zero historical debt, we’ve broken membership records in each of Ben’s three years, we’re about to complete the $8 million stage two extension of our Arden St facility, we’ve just re-signed Mazda as our major partner and we are set to play a major role in the State Government’s plans for the Arden Precinct.
“Ben’s greatest and most long-lasting legacy will be the Arden Precinct vision he led and fought for so strongly from the moment he walked through the doors. Present and future North Melbourne players, officials, members and supporters will enjoy the fruits of that work for generations to come and it has paved the way for the club to be embedded in North Melbourne for the next 150 years.
“On a personal note, Ben has provided exceptional support and counsel to me, and I have loved working with him.”
Is it expected new coach Alastair Clarkson will have a key role in determining who fills the position, with Amarfio to stay on until a replacement can be found.
Russ
Roar Rookie
Clarko was probably unhappy the AFL will state no high priority picks.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I'd rather have the technology there for the absolute howlers and have some that are hard to call either way, than have a big game decided by a straight out error that could of been prevented.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I dunno? they got 2 spoons out of it
Cat
Roar Guru
Not like the ones going out achieved anything at the Roos.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Clarkson in, everybody else out!!!! He better win a flag with all these big decisions he's making.
Mat P
Guest
When it was just umpires, the media would needle over every close call. So they brought in the technology. Yet they still needle over every close call. Bottom line, no one is ever happy. As for the tech, it will never be consistent ground to ground, when they play one off games in Ballarat, Cairns, Alice Springs, etc. I'm all for just leaving it up to the people paid to make the call on the field, but it wont stop the pundits belly-aching every time their old club feels aggrieved.
Holdingtheball
Roar Rookie
Had Richmond down to win this by 4gs. Thought Brisbane played better, but made more mistakes. Gave Richmond 6 goals. Both sides got an umpires goal and missed one each too. Why does it always come back to the final error. Loved the game and the result.
Ian Morrison
Guest
Hard call. It's a bit like the DRS in cricket. If more/less than half the ball is projected to hit more/less than half a stump, then assuming our assumption that the ball do exactly as we predict, then this is the decision ...... but if we are not really sure we will go with the umpire's original call ... but, because we are not really sure, the reviewing team, if bowling, will not lose their review but, if batting, you are either in or out, so move on.
penguin
Roar Rookie
Correct decision was made. Clearly went over the post. Arc got it right, as did AFL. The rest is just whinging, and the eternal questions about umpiring in the AFL, which is simply part of the game, and deflecting from the fact that Richmond lost a game they should have won. 4 defenders leapt for the last goal! Silly! There were many of those games and lapses this year for Richmond with poor defensive coaching in protecting a lead. Hardwick needs to look at what Fly did with Collingwood, and change his coaching accordingly, rather than blame the best technology currently available. It is here to stay.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yet the pre-game chat was all about Bolton's x-factor and Dusty's return. Neale, Bailey and McCluggage were always going to be more significant...not Victorian enough, though. Starcevich was outstanding.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
100% Don- everything was in Richmond favour and yet Lions managed to win against all odds. I'm not indulging any discussion about umpiring either way, it was a great game of footy that there could be so many discussion points but we continually (as whole) revert to back to some sort of officiating reference. Your boy Lachie- he's just an absolute champion of the game. Highest of Quality.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's funny how discussion centres on this. Why not consider McCarthy's disallowed mark, 15 metres out dead in front. Daniher was in the contest as much as McCarthy and the 2 Tiges. No interference or blocking. It was a simple, clear mark that needed a controversial umpire intrusion to overturn. Discuss this error or the fact Lynch froze in the big moment or the atrocious soft call of a goal from that goal umpire. Or, consider the 5 significant outs at Brissy, rather than Martin's distracted, uninterested contribution.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
true, there was not much celebration by richmond players. any way, bad luck will impact all teams at times.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
The Tigers may have done better with a player other than Martin for that game, however it was important to play him into form and match fitness with expected further finals to come. I agree with Dunstall’s take on that goal, there was insufficient evidence to overrule the goal umpire but justice was served with the decision.
Time for change
Guest
Richmond is going backwards, players are hanging on for their 3rd and 4th investment homes, not for the playing off for flags. Some hard decisions need to be made or the Tigers will face a long time in the wilderness.