'Absolute joke': Contentious moment reignites AFL debate
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is questioning whether the AFL score review system is scaring goal umpires from making calls.
Port lost by one point to GWS on Saturday night in an Adelaide Oval encounter punctuated by a contentious goal-line decision.
Power defender Tom Clurey had the ball in between a GWS goal and point post in the second quarter.
The goal umpire believed the ball crossed the line and signalled for a score review.
Clurey protested that the ball hadn't gone over the line - and the score review replays proved him correct.
Under AFL rules the field umpire had to re-start play with a ball-up at the top of the goal square - and the resumption led to Giant Jeremy Cameron snapping a goal.
Adelaide great Mark Ricciuto was fuming with the decision on Fox Sports' coverage, insisting Port were robbed by the decision.
“It was a massive disadvantage,” Adelaide great Mark Ricciuto said on Fox Footy.
“As it was an opportunity for them to kick a goal. They wouldn’t have been happy with that.
Fans were equally as bemused as the merits of the contentious score review system again came under fire.
Can we stop with the score reviews, @AFL
The system is an absolute mess.— Rocky Menero (@RockyMenero) July 27, 2019
Some of the worst umpiring I’ve ever seen in the #AFL this year. Combined with the atrocious efforts of the score review system, this is affecting the outcomes of the games far too much.
— Jamie Leech (@jamie_a_leech) July 27, 2019
I cannot believe what just happened at Adelaide Oval. Port get stripped of possession because the umpires stuffed up a score review! No score! Goodness gracious #AFLPowerGiants
— Ronny Lerner (@RonnyLerner) July 27, 2019
Port Adelaide had possession before the goal umpire incorrectly signalled a behind.
Score Review confirms ball wasn't over the line... BUT Port don't retain possession, instead it's a ball-up at the top of GWS' goal square.
PORT FANS AND COACHING STAFF = FILTHY!#AFLPowerGiants— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) July 27, 2019
This score review is idiotic? Umpire has stopped play for nothing and taken the ball off of Port Adelaide. Absolute joke.
— Mitchell Turner (@MitchellTurner8) July 27, 2019
Hinkley suggested after the match that the score review system was being used as a crutch by umpires not willing to back their calls.
"I don't know what I make of it," Hinkley said of the incident.
"Has score review now frightened the umpires to the point where they are not prepared to make the call and back their call?
"I have seen it: there's no way you call it a point unless you're 100 per cent correct.
"By God, the umpires, they get such a tough job.
"And now we have got score review - whether it works for you or works against you, you almost can't win.
"It's just disappointing because the very next stoppage, they kick a goal.
"We were running it (the ball) out and it ends up at a stoppage and Cameron kicks a goal."
Port also copped another controversial call when just three points down in the 10th minute of the final quarter.
GWS rookie Jackson Hately took a mark at half-forward but was given a 50m penalty for late contact from Port's Karl Amon.
Hately was taken to 20 metres from goal and converted what was the Giants' last goal of the game.
"By the letter of the law it's a correct decision," Hinkley said.
"And if you pay them all the time that is fine."
With AAP
