Collingwood have claimed premiership glory with a thrilling four-point grand final win over Brisbane… but a controversial moment late in the final quarter has swiftly sent the footy world into uproar.
The Lions won a free kick just beyond their 50m arc after Lachie Neale was tackled below the knees by Magpie Oleg Markov with a little over 80 seconds remaining, which would have enabled them a deep entry to try for the winning goal they needed.
However, with Lions teammate Zac Bailey seemingly failing to hear the umpire’s whistle, so loud was a packed MCG, he quickly hacked the ball inside 50 from Neale’s handball, with the umpire then calling advantage on the play while the footy was in mid-air.
The Magpies were successfully able to repel, with Nick Daicos gathering from a Darcy Moore spoil and passing to Will Hoskin-Elliott, allowing the premiers to run down the clock.
Speaking on Channel 7, former great Matthew Richardson was flabbergasted by the decision.
“Did Brisbane know that was a free kick?” Richardson said.
“That was not a good advantage, that one – that is ridiculous.
“They didn’t even know it was their free kick.”
Four-time premiership winner Luke Hodge described the incident as a ‘poor advantage’ – and the reaction from the wider footy world on social media was even harsher.
Leading the charge was former Lion Tom Rockliff, who claimed the Lions were ‘robbed’ and adjuged the decision ‘disgraceful’.
2005 Sydney premiership player Luke Ablett – a cousin to AFL legend Gary – claimed the ‘umpires won Collingwood a premiership’, pointing to both that decision and a series of contentious non-calls in the Magpies’ thrilling one-point preliminary final win over GWS.
However, popular X account ‘Has the umpire made a Bad decision?’, which offers analysis on contentious AFL umpiring decisions, defended the call.
“I think the ump got it right,” the account wrote.
“Lions kicked the ball forward after FK was called – if that gets marked by Bris and it’s not paid advantage, there would be Howls.
“No real way to read minds and tell if they wanted to take it or not.”
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
Agreed not every decision goes your way its sport and if Brisbane want to know why they lost look at Jarrod Berry and that pathetic 50 metre penalty he gave on Sidebottom
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Mate enjoy the win when my beloved Eagles ???? won the flag in 2018 you were very gracious and congratulated us and at the same time you were hurting. Enjoy mate flags are hard to win enjoy And savour it
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
This finals series has been spoiled by crucial umpiring errors. One umpire who doesn't crumble under finals pressure is Razor Ray. He missed out because he is unable to bounce it consistently. How did that work out? They recalled every third bounce anyway.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Daicos got the free for a high tackle, whether he ducked or not. On the other hand, his tackle on Greene was not awarded. No ducking. Bit awkward if you support Collingwood. But it's only Greene's neck ,not Ginnivan's. Interesting the way that Pies supporters wouldn't see anything wrong unless one of their players was being infringed. And what's with no in the back frees for either side in the last?
Jez North
Roar Rookie
They were the dominant team and the win was deserved. Fair call :thumbup:
RT
Roar Rookie
That's a great comment Imagine if Bailey's kick was marked by a Brisbane player but the umpire called it back. The outcry would be far greater.
Arges Tuft
Roar Rookie
Brisbane lost because they wernt as good. The reality is Boby Hill had a blinder BOG by far, Daicos was everywhere (again). De Goey was on. Pendals, sidebottom, crisp all played the parts. hmmm Brisbane had coleman! Pies won because they were better all over the ground.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Brisbane's best chance of scoring a goal was by the umpire's playing advantage. If the play had been stopped Collingwood would have had ample opportunity to flood the backline and mark up the Brisbane forwards. It was just unfortunate that the Zac Bailey panicked a bit with his kick and Collingwood managed to defuse it. Bit of an overreaction here.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Whilst you can argue Collingwoods home ground advantage may have helped. Brisbane had their fair share of home ground advantage to get to the GF. While the pies got the rub of the green and the result could've gone either way. The pies were in front most of the day and IMO deserved the win. Congrats to pies fans enjoy your win.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Supporters of 17 other clubs would disagree with you.
ColinT
Roar Rookie
Yes I am. Of course I accept that there are a small minority of supporters, as in all clubs, who aren’t always gracious in defeat.
MG
Roar Rookie
Ducker Daicos - got two frees from dropping at the knees, one goal.
sven
Roar Rookie
so gardner ducking straight into cox's hip wasnt actually ducking ... thought the first free of the game where the lions got one for high contact there was an element of ducking too
RT
Roar Rookie
It's a weekly ritual for The Roar. It takes away from an otherwise great site.
RT
Roar Rookie
Silly article. A bunch of excretes by people (some randos) who don't know the rule. The first and last ones were the only two worth mentioning.
Boo
Roar Rookie
The advantage should not have been paid but it's a bit much to say it cost them a flag over 50 out Brisbane forwards not marking much a lot had to happen to score a goal.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
No way in the world can anyone claim this decision in isolation cost the Lions premiership. The Lions though we’re up against it all day. It’s interesting how there’s two interpretations of high / ducking… They’re the Nick Daicos rule and then everyone else. Congratulations to Collingwood they have been the best team all year.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yes. Both in the exact place on the neck.
Mohammed Saeed alSahaf former Iraqi Minister of Information
Roar Rookie
Just posting for the first time in several years to say that this is a really disappointing article. Of course in a close game you can pick any number of decisions or incidents and construct a contingent, alternative reality based on what *might* have happened. I've been watching footy for 45 years (Hawthorn fan) and I reckon Collingwood has been on the receiving end of more of these tough decisions than any other club. To suggest this premiership is less legitimate because you reckon an advantage call should have been interpreted differently is pretty poor. It also reflects a very unattractive tendency to somehow take away or undermine the happiness of others. Well done Magpies, worthy premiers 2023. Enjoy the celebrations Pies fans!!!
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Look, not the best decision technically but no team ever won a flag without luck playing a small part in the drama of a grand final. It's a Collingwood 2023 premiership in perpetuity regardless of who we barracked for on the day. Congratulations to the winners, commiserations to the runners up.