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"I'm sorry": Ump apologises for bad call

An AFL umpire has rewritten the rules of officiating after apologising to St Kilda's Leigh Montagna for a potentially bad call.

The rare incident occurred after the umpire awarded a 50 metre free kick against Montagna after hearing him say, 'soft c***.'

However it immediately became clear that the umpire had misheard, as the Saints veteran blew up.

On-field microphones then picked up a heated conversation between the pair.

The heated conversation unfolds. Pic: Fox Sports
The heated conversation unfolds. Pic: Fox Sports

"You said soft C," the umpire said.

"I said soft bump! I said soft bump!" An astounded Montagna replied.

Before the umpire apologised; "If I got that wrong, I'm sorry."

Montagna cannot believe it. Pic: Fox Sports
Montagna cannot believe it. Pic: Fox Sports

However the apology did nothing to relax Montagna who was furious to be on the wrong end of a bad call with the game in the balance nearing half-time.

"You've cost us a 50!" He said.

The Cats went on to boot the resulting free kick to rub salt into Montagna's wounds.

It wasn't the only bizarre free kick awarded in the match, with Geelong's Tom Hawkins pinged for putting his knees in an opponent's back while attempting a mark.

"But you're allowed to do that in the marking contest," Brian Taylor said in commentary. "That's how you take big marks!"

Geelong went on to win 126-88.