North Melbourne have endured yet more heartbreak in a horror week for the embattled club, with a rare interchange cap breach costing them a famous victory over Sydney.
Following on from coach Alastair Clarkson stepping away from the club due to mental health concerns amid the AFL’s ongoing racism investigation, an undermanned Kangaroos seemed on the verge of a stunning upset when they led the Swans by 16 points during the final term.
However, up by just three with under a minute to go, the umpires ruled the Kangaroos had exceeded the cap when they made a 76th rotation for the match, with the Swans awarded a free kick and 50m penalty that took Hayden McLean to the goal line, gifting a certain six points.
The AFL cap for interchange rotations has stood at 75 since 2021, when it was reduced from 90 per game.
This is the first cap breach ever seen in the AFL, though previous teams have been penalised for interchange infringements – most famously Hawthorn in a 2010 match against St Kilda, when Hawk Grant Birchall gave up a free and 50m penalty for incorrectly re-entering the playing field.
Coincidentally, it was a North Melbourne-Sydney match at Marvel Stadium in 2008 that instigated changes to the interchange process in the first place, with the Swans scoring a match-tying point in the dying minutes with 19 players on the field.
Details are still emerging as to exactly what occurred this time around, but according to AFL journalist Tom Morris after the Swans held on for a three-point win, a double change with Will Phillips and Liam Shiels coming off saw North exceed the cap.
Morris also Tweeted that the Roos had failed to notice that the number on the club’s AFL-appointed interchange steward had reached 75 and turned red.
Teams are only allowed to exceed the cap if a player is injured, though that player is not permitted to return. Clubs can only replace three players in this manner.
The controversial finish has sparked major debate over the severity of the penalty, with News Corp reporter Jon Ralph arguing the punishment didn’t fit the crime and suggesting clubs should be warned for exceeding the cap first.
Clubs, however, are warned when they have five and one rotation left – however, it is believed that the flurry of late activity on the Kangaroos bench prevented the steward from being able to make that warning in time.
Vision from Fox Footy would confirm this.
Seano
Roar Rookie
This is the best piece of tanking i have ever seen, great stuff.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Haha just a smidge early to be calling the Swans out of contention for the 8. Not even half way yet. We get our injured back and some teams in the 8 now pick up key injuries too and it just may be a different picture. Losing your top three tall defenders all at once would impact any team. Swans haven’t dropped in class just in availability.
poider
Roar Rookie
Nup. She slapped the baby troll that emerged!
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Because it was an "interstate" side
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
A fair whack of their bad luck over the last years is down to them
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Deep, really deep. If the ball was anywhere else on the field, the 50m. penalty wouldn't matter and there would be no angst.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Given this was a game between two teams out of contention for the 8, I don't understand why it really matters. The umpires and AFL staff made a decision consistent with the rules. Conversely, last year's premiers got beaten again by a side many had written ff (including myself) and not a single word on the Roar?
Megeng
Roar Rookie
I was watching the game and had absolutely no idea what was going on. I'm sort of getting used to that these days but this one had me completely stumped, not even a single idea as to what was going on. It doesn't make for much of a spectacle when the fans have no idea
Cec
Roar Rookie
Why “if”? The board said 75… Your coaches have to put their hand up to that mistake and move on to the next game.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Missed it by that much
Nick
Roar Rookie
No chance Peter Games don't get overturned or replayed unless the mistake occurred after the match had ended (i.e Sirengate). They'll apologise and that's that. Bad stuff happens to good people.
Shinboner 1971
Roar Rookie
If it was a North Melbourne mistake.
mrl
Roar Rookie
Your mother loved being slapped last night!
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Would it have been an upset? Swans suck this year.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Just dumb from the Roos. They need to keep their own count or perhaps read the tally board. The penalty is fine. It’s only a ‘debate’ given the margin less than 6 & a few too many beers to fuel it. Roos just need to own their stuff up.
mrl
Roar Rookie
It is not a World Cup match...or an AFL prelim final.
Tim Miller
Editor
Your best player has done a hamstring. Your coach has taken indefinite leave during the week. You're on the verge of a famous, upset win for the first time in eight weeks - and then that happens. I'd call that heartbreaking... wouldn't you?
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Did they slap your mother when you came out of the womb?
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
The game will not be replayed. If there was a mistake made in the count there will be an apology given.
mrl
Roar Rookie
It breaks North Melbourne hearts? They are 16th in a contrived Victorian based competition.