Controversy has erupted following Essendon’s thrilling three-point victory over Adelaide, with an umpire under fire for his decision to not award the Crows a holding the ball free kick in the final seconds of the match.
With the ball inside Adelaide’s attacking 50, Bombers ruckman Sam Draper dived down on top of it, with a tackling Taylor Walker pinning the ball underneath him; however, as the siren blew, the umpire called for a ball-up, ensuring the Bombers would hold on.
The non-decision sparked cries of protest from the Crows players, with Walker branding the moment an ‘absolute joke’ in a heated exchange with the umpire; and their belief they were robbed has been the general consensus around the footy world.
On Saturday, the AFL released a statement to Fox Footy backing in the umpire’s ‘correct approach’ to the incident, but said the free kick should ‘technically’ have been paid.
“In the moment and at ground level, the umpires believed that Draper dived on the ball, and then the ball came out to Draper’s left, and was then knocked back under him by Walker,” the statement reads.
“In review, and with the assistance of the broadcast angle and behind the goals Hawkeye vision providing a clearer look, you can see that the ball moves from under Draper’s chest – to under his armpit/shoulder – which means the ball is still in his possession, and he has not immediately knocked it clear. Therefore, it technically should have been a holding the ball free kick.
“It’s a very challenging one for the umpires in this situation, with the ball on the ground, to see exactly where the ball is, under a large number of players and who has control of it.
“On ground level they were not certain of all these factors, so they didn’t pay it – which is the correct approach at the time.
Speaking on Fox Footy immediately after the match, former great Garry Lyon said Draper ‘decided to lay on top of the footy’.
“Not sure you can do that… it’s unfair to isolate it into one incident at the end. But it looks to me like he fell on it and then hooked it back in.”
Fellow panellist and former Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley described Draper’s act as a ‘brain fade’, to which Jonathan Brown replied: “It’s not a brain fade now, it’s a winning moment.”
“He’s made sure it’s there and lied [sic] on it,” Buckley added.
“Technically, in any part on the field at any time of the game, that is holding the ball. It was a little tap in, then he laid on it.”
Hawthorn four-time premiership great Jordan Lewis initially claimed the decision was ’50-50′, saying Walker had contributed to the ball being pinned by knocking it under Draper; however, the Bomber’s controversial reaction to the incident, recreating his dive onto the ball as he and his teammates celebrated victory, caused him to back down.
Speaking on Fox Footy Live, another former great in Nick Dal Santo was even harsher, describing the incident has ‘as blatant as you can see’.
“There’s almost no excuse [to not pay a free kick],” he said, before taking issue with Draper’s recreation.
“They [Essendon] got away with one, and this doesn’t help at all, when you’re mimicking and reliving the moment only moments later.”
Fellow panellist Ben Dixon said the non-call was ’embarrassing’ as well as ‘very, very funny’, while Cameron Mooney claimed the Dons ruckman was ‘a fire blanket that literally just put the Crows’ season out’.
“This is one of the all-time flops,” Mooney continued.
“We don’t need to hear the rules on this one, that was a flat out holding the ball. The umpire completely missed it. And now he’s actually taking the P-155 about it! ‘Have a look at this boys, this is what I did!’”
Over on Channel 7’s broadcast, the commentators were also in agreement that the Crows had been dudded, with former great Luke Hodge particularly scathing.
“That is holding the ball… you’ve got four umpires, one of them should have seen that,” Hodge said.
Essendon celebrate their win over Adelaide. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Commentator James Brayshaw agreed, but said it would need to be a ‘brave umpire’ to make such a decision ‘in the last second of the game’.
However, not everyone was in agreement that the umpire had made the wrong decision, with Matthew Richardson describing the incident as ‘line-ball’.
“There was one angle that looked like it got pushed back under him [Draper],” the Richmond legend said.
“Then there was the other angle that looked like he was definitely lying on top of it… if that’s anywhere else on the ground at any other time, it would have been called.”
Speaking to Fox Footy after the match, even Bombers captain Zach Merrett admitted he was ‘holding [his] breath’ while waiting for the umpire’s whistle.
“We’ve certainly spent a lot of time and work and energy on those moments [leading late in games]. To execute it for the most part was very pleasing… but no doubt it was a line ball call,” Merrett said.
As for Draper himself, when shown a replay of the incident by Brian Taylor in Channel 7’s Roaming Brian segment, the 25-year old could only chuckle.
“I think I got pushed or my legs gave way – I don’t know, either one,” he said.
“What else can I do?”
Draper added that he considered the non-decision a fair even-up for another controversial call on the stroke of half time, with the umpire choosing to pay a free against Bomber Kyle Langford holding the ball to allow the Crows a post-siren shot at goal, which Darcy Fogarty missed.
“It makes up for the one at half time they gave the Crows,” he laughed.
Bombers coach Brad Scott had a similar view of the non-call, saying it would be unfair to focus excessively on that incident compared to others earlier in the evening.
“There are a lot of decisions [for] holding the ball, for an against, throughout the night,” he said.
“We’ll obviously focus on the one in the last couple of seconds, but I can show you a couple of others too, if you like.”
The upset win leaves the Bombers entrenched in the top eight with a 4-2 record, ahead of their traditional Anzac Day blockbuster with Collingwood.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Yep. Blaming the umpires gives them a get-out and then their form drops again.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I mean I live in Sydney not Melbourne. I’ve made my peace with only being able to see my bombers twice a year when they play Giants and swans up here
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
It is a fact yes Charlie.Certain teams still don't travel as much as they should (as you know)
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
It’s a fact of life when the majority of teams are located in Melbourne.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Hawthorn and Roos both play today don't they it is possible
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Round 6 and only another 2 away great competition ain't it
RT
Roar Rookie
I love the use of "[sic]" to emphasis Buckley's poor grasp of spoken English.
RT
Roar Rookie
100% Don.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Even when the AFL admit an error they still can’t admit an error
Buster
Roar Rookie
for me it was the least disappointing error of the night....the ones that cut deep were the countless skill errors we have gone backwards
PeteB
Roar Rookie
It’s funny how the assumption is umpires somehow get to view from all camera angles and on slow motion replay. Here’s a thought for all whinging losing teams. Just grab the ball and kick it between the two big sticks. It’s the best and only way to win :stoked:
PeteB
Roar Rookie
What was an absolute joke was Taylor Walker faking for a free kick instead of trying to break a tackle and kick a goal only a minute earlier.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Josh Rachele threw away far more opportunities than the umpires. Perhaps reflect on that
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Adelaide needs to stop blaming an umpire error for losing close games and self-reflect instead. Errors happen and the best way to insure against an umpire error influencing the result is to play better. Adelaide were on top and then suddenly let Essendon kick a couple of easy goals late in the game. That's why they lost. They let it slip.
Frodo
Roar Rookie
Errr . . . yeah nah.
JudgeMental
Roar Rookie
Ok, I'll be that guy. The answer is obvious: 8 field umpires.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I actually think Tex did a reasonable job of protecting the other players safety he didn’t go straight into their back. So yes you’re correct it is a troll comment
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
It took me back to the Edwards tackle not paid on Cunnington in the 15 EF that arguably cost us a flag - and helped us sin :
junk
Roar Rookie
No. As a Melbourne supporter, I don't care about last nights result. Other than it would be nice if they both had lost.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I don't feel we were robbed. I saw a few go begging but, ateotd, we played spasm footy. We sucked at inconsistency. Even when we played quicksilver footy it looked unsustainable and l actually knew we were going to lose because of that.