The umpiring in final evening’s Suns-Dogs conflict at TIO Stadium has raised eyebrows across the league, with the followers furious over a few of the selections made throughout the Sir Doug Nicholls Round match within the Top End, but it surely was one “quirk of footy” that noticed followers and commentators alike scratching their heads.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
With 90 seconds left within the recreation and the Bulldogs trailing the Suns by two factors, Aaron Naughton snapped one not far away from 35 metres out in a second of brilliance to chop the result in two factors on the dying – or so he thought.
The purpose umpire was not instantly satisfied, and ended up sending the purpose to attain overview, noticing the umpire’s flags flapping round behind the goalpost, and his hunch was confirmed because the ball certainly clipped the umpires’ flags.
“A moment of brilliance, maybe!” was heard on commentary.
Shaun Burgoyne on Channel 7 was baffled.
“Wow. Is the flag a part of the goalpost? I wasn‘t sure of the exact rule,” Burgoyne said.
Fans equally were baffled by the call, with some calling for a change to the rule.
“Is there any reason why the goal flags need to be behind the goalpost AND counted as part of the post?” asked one fan on social media.
“Either put them on the (behind) post, or understand if it‘s hit when behind the post, then it’s previous the road and needs to be a purpose.”
Seven senior producer Mark Thompson marvelled on the “quirk” of soccer.
“What a quirk of footy. The way a goal umpire stores his flags has an impact on the scoreboard! Incredible day. So many upsets. And an important win for Suns and Dew after this week’s headlines,” Thompson mentioned.
The umpiring on the whole could be the main target of intense scrutiny, with one explicit name for standing over the mark criticised for being too harsh.
One fan requested Twitter umpiring account @hasumpstuffedup whether or not it was “a genuine reason for a 50m penalty”, with the umpiring clarification account replying that it didn’t appear “egregious” sufficient to justify one.
“If a player is NOT in the marking contest and steps over the mark by a considerable distance they don‘t get a ‘back 2m’ warning,” replied the account.
“However, it doesn‘t look egregiously over the mark to me. So no 50m (to me).”
Another fan on social media was livid at the umpiring.
“The umpire telling the Gold Coast bloke that he‘d run 2 metres over the mark when in fact he’d simply stood there was simply atrocious,” mentioned the fan.
The Age sports activities reporter Andrew Wu joked that he wouldn’t “(buy) real estate from this umpire”.
The Suns would go on to win the conflict in an upset that stamps their potential on the competitors, working over the Dogs 13.6 (84) to 11.11 (77) in a win that brings them inside a recreation of the highest eight.
Source: www.news.com.au