'Horrible decision': AFL fans fume over score review 'blunder'
The match between Richmond and Collingwood delivered plenty of action and a dramatic finish in the AFL’s much-hyped restart, but fans were still left fuming at a controversial score review decision.
Collingwood were leading Richmond 34-26 with just a few seconds left in the third-quarter when the score review system came into play.
‘AMAZING’: AFL's powerful Black Lives Matter statement
OUCH: Star suspended after breaching AFL virus protocol
Jack Higgins of Richmond was judged to have marked the ball before he crossed back into the goal line.
However, images didn’t clearly prove he had taken the mark before the ball crossed the line.
Despite the controversy, Higgins was judged to have marked it before the line and kicked the following goal to put the Tigers just two points down.
But fans went ballistic on social media over the ‘horrible decision’.
He started behind the line, jumped on a backwards trajectory but yet marked the ball on the field side of the goal line???
That’s a horrible decision #AFL— Scott Reeb (@scottyreeb) June 11, 2020
Why did they only show that better, close up angle for that score review after the fact? Looked over the line to me. #AFL #aflpiestigers
— Paul (@buchy69) June 11, 2020
Video review ruled this a mark.....
The AFL must be using #VAR #AFLPiesTigers pic.twitter.com/4NIkzQKhoc— Nick (@NKokoris) June 11, 2020
What the hell was that crap? That wasn't a mark, umpires again making the wrong calls #AFL
— Ray Redd (@BaydenRedshaw) June 11, 2020
Imagine waiting 3 months for the #AFL just to make a score review blunder yet again! The biggest game in Australia and the worst review system in the world. #AFLPiesTigers #classicafl
— Matthew Allen (@itschippa) June 11, 2020
Why even have goal umpires if they’re not going to make a call for themselves? He was in perfect position #itwasover #AFL @7AFL
— offroad pingpong (@OffroadPingpong) June 11, 2020
How is that a mark?! That ball was completely over the goal line before the mark was taken!! That is such a bad call by the Score Review!! #AFLPiesTigers #AFL
— Trystan Spooner (@TrystanSpooner) June 11, 2020
Get rid of the score review. Clearly a point. Clearly #AFL
— Marlo Drake (@marlobemelmans) June 11, 2020
However some thought the decision was correct.
Clear mark he had clear control of the ball before the full ball went behind the line #AFL
— Canty (@cantyufc) June 11, 2020
Collingwood fans won’t like this but the ball is clearly marked on the line..
It was a clean mark as well so he had control as soon as the ball landed in his hands. #AFL #AFLPiesTigers pic.twitter.com/wLTcv8DFAl— Jedd Zetzer (@JeddZetzer) June 11, 2020
Despite the debatable call, incredibly the first game of the restart lived up to the hype as Collingwood and Richmond battled for a 36-all draw.
Tigers-Pies stalemate
AFL heavyweights Collingwood and Richmond played out their first draw in more than 100 years as football made a welcome return at the MCG on Thursday night.
Almost three months since the competition went into shutdown mode, the traditional rivals produced a dour slugfest in slippery conditions.
Tigers speedster Shai Bolton had the final chance to win the match in a frantic final few minutes, but his kick on the run from 50m dropped short and was knocked through for a behind.
The teams finished locked on 5.6 (36) apiece in what was only the second draw of their long and illustrious history - the first was way back in 1917.
Collingwood had kicked the first four goals of the match to shock the reigning premiers in a stunning first-quarter blitz.
But they managed just one after quarter-time as Tom Lynch (three goals) helped Richmond grind their way back into the contest.
Jack Riewoldt and comeback kid Higgins also had late chances to snatch victory for the Tigers but could not convert their set shots late in the final term.
