'Incorrect': AFL's massive admission over 'disgraceful' free kick

The AFL has admitted the controversial free kick awarded to Brisbane late in their win over North Melbourne on Saturday night was wrong.

With scores level approaching the final minute, Lions tall forward Oscar McInerney won a free kick against experienced Kangaroos defender Scott Thompson for an illegal shepherd.

He nervelessly booted it, with Hugh McCluggage's goal after the siren ensuring a 12.15 (87) to 12.3 (75) win and outright second spot.

However the free kick decision was widely slammed, and on Sunday the AFL umpiring department said Thompson was wrongly pinged.

“The AFL Umpiring Department advises the free kick awarded to Brisbane Lions’ Oscar McInerney against North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson in the fourth quarter of last night’s match at The Gabba was incorrect,” the statement read.

Fans and players left fuming

Multiple premiership-winning pair Cameron Ling and Dermott Brereton were among those to question the call in commentary, saying Thompson's bodywork was within the laws of the game.

"That's just good bodywork, McInerney has gone to ground too easy," Ling said in commentary.

Brereton added: "I reckon Scotty Thompson was stiffed when he bodied out McInerney and took the chest mark.

“Oscar folds at the knees. I reckon that was desperately stiff."

Current players Steven May and Patrick Dangerfield were among those to back Thompson in posts on Twitter.

Shaw bites his tongue

Shaw was careful when responding post-game, before ultimately tipping his cap to Chris Fagan's side.

"That's certainly a difficult one ... it's interesting he marked the ball, but the pressure of the game, the players make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes," he said.

"I'm not sure I understood it, but that's just the way it is. I can't do anything about it now, the game's done.

"We gave away a lot of free kicks (in the third quarter), that were silly, undisciplined free kicks.

"That's not going to help ... and Brisbane brought the heat."

Brisbane could well have been ruing a line-ball decision of their own when North tall forward Ben Brown goaled following a contentious free kick just moments before McInerney's.

Fagan wasn't fussed though, supporting the officials and praising his side for finding a way past a valiant opponent.

The loss leaves North Melbourne two wins outside the top eight, but Shaw said that wasn't the focus.

"We play West Coast over there (next week), it's a huge challenge for us," he said.

"Yeah they (Brisbane) got us in the contest (162-133), peppered us in inside 50s (67-43); they're a top quality team but somehow we were still in the game at the end and that's a good sign."

with AAP