'No excuses': AFL world divided over controversial siren drama
The AFL world has been left divided after fans called for Richmond to be awarded a 50m penalty after Chad Warner booted the ball into the crowd after the siren sounded.
The Swans overran the Tigers with 10 goals to three in a second-half surge after trailing by as much as 33 points to prevail 16.10 (106) to 15.10 (100) on Friday night.
OUCH: Kane Cornes in TV takedown of Wayne Carey over 'ridiculous' claim
BOMBSHELL: Retired AFL player Sam Fisher charged in drug trafficking sting
Dion Prestia was awarded a free kick as the siren sounded and had a shot at goal that could have levelled the scores but was too far out to be a realistic chance to score.
The Tigers midfielder would have had the shot from within range if a 50m penalty was paid against Warner for booting the ball into the crowd after the siren sounded, but the whistle had blown for a free kick to Prestia a split second earlier.
However, many fans felt the penalty should have been awarded regardless of the siren.
According to SEN reporter Sam Edmund, the AFL ruled that the umpires had made the correct call.
The statement also says: “the free kick to Richmond player Prestia was correctly paid by the non controlling umpire in the centre of the ground & almost immediately after the free kick was paid, the siren sounded.” https://t.co/NgH77UpiE9
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) May 28, 2022
Despite the ruling, the AFL world was left divided over the call.
“He’s kicked the ball over the fence it should be 50!” Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor said.
“There’s no excuses that he doesn’t know.”
Others thought it was the right call, considering the siren had sounded.
At Any time during the game, if the opposition players kicks the ball away… whether they hear the whistle or not… 50 metres. The umpires have done it again… pleasing the AFL with making sure the Swans win in Sydney. If this game was in Melbourne, that would’ve been 50m
— justmyopinion (@hayphil55) May 27, 2022
Was definitely not a 50m penalty. How can a time wasting penalty be awarded after the siren when there is no time left to waste ? Ball was kicked after final siren sounded. Also, Swans player could have easily thought it was his free kick for hit to his face. pic.twitter.com/AqX9WRD31a
— Mr Lee (@LeeroyLives) May 27, 2022
That. Was. Bizarre!
The Swans prevail, they were 33 points down, but they came back to win by 6 points.
It finished with a kick after the siren from Dion Prestia, 80m out.
Should it have been a 50m penalty after Warner kicked the ball into the crowd?#AFLSwansTigers— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) May 27, 2022
“It’s common sense” according to umpires.
Brain melts after the siren are a Swans specialty. Rampe climbing the post, Warner booting the ball away.
50m penalty every other time in the game #AFLSwansTigers— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) May 27, 2022
Free kick to Prestia 80m from goal, final siren sounds, Swans player kicks the ball away in delight, but the umpires hadn’t acknowledged the siren. Should it be a 50m penalty? I would’ve thought so. #AFLSwansTigers
— St Neil 🔴⚪️⚫️🇦🇺 (@neil_saints) May 27, 2022
You just know that if the Saints were in the Swans shoes last night, 100% certainty that 50m penalty would have been paid!
Saints fans, you know it in your bones— Rors (@Rorsroars) May 28, 2022
Commentators saying that gets 50m every day if the week?! Since when has a free kick whistle not been heard because of the siren. Seriously?! Swans win - end of story. BTW….
Go Kangas!!!!!— Damien Elsworth (@Wouralia) May 27, 2022
The umpires did spot the act during the chaos and John Howorth asked: “He kicked the ball into the crowd after the free kick … 50m I think?”
But Brendan Hosking and experienced umpire Matt Stevic were heard saying "nah, nah".
One of the umpires was overheard claiming: " “He (Warner) couldn’t hear the whistle.”
Howorth replied: “That’s why I’m asking the question. Are we happy with that?”
The umpire then approached Prestia and said why he wasn't marching 50m.
“He couldn’t have heard the free kick. It’s just common sense, OK?” Howorth added.
Lance Franklin shines for the Swans
Franklin received the Goodes-O'Loughlin Medal as best afield in the annual Marn Grook match at the SCG, the second time he has won the award, while Warner (27 disposals) continued his outstanding form and Luke Parker (26 touches, one goal) was also influential.
Co-captain Callum Mills (20) was a key to the second-half turnaround as a loose player in defence after the Swans leaked 11 goals to half-time despite leading the inside 50 count 32-22.
The Tigers resembled their premiership-winning best early as they played with frenetic intensity and kicked seven unanswered goals either side of quarter-time.
Jayden Short (22 disposals, two goals) and Prestia (24, one goal) led the way for the Tigers while Cotchin (25 touches) was inspirational throughout especially when standing under a Franklin leap late in the game and copping a heavy knock.
"It was an unbelievable act and it probably sums him up. He was always going to go,"
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said. "People can look at kicks, marks and handballs but you look at things like that, that's what makes him the great player that he is. It was a solid hit, so he did well to finish the game and contribute as well."
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.