James Aish's vital touch missed as AFL fans slam score review system in Fremantle heartache

The AFL world has been left divided over whether the score review system should have been implemented in Fremantle's devastating loss to Carlton after the umpires missed a James Aish touch in the final seconds. The Blues managed to kick the last three goals in a 10.13 (73) to 9.9 (63) victory over the Dockers on Saturday at Adelaide Oval in Gather Round, but the win didn't come without massive controversy.

In the final 30 seconds, Fremantle had a two point lead when George Hewett found Matthew Cottrell 30 metres out and right in front. However, Fremantle were adamant the ball had deflected off Aish on the way to Cottrell.

Fremantle were up-in-arms as Cottrell put the Blues in front with only seconds remaining. And after the players protested, Matt Kennedy sealed the result with a goal after a 50 metre penalty. Fremantle coach Justin claimed the dissent was from Jordan Clark.

And the AFL world has been left divided over the incident. Replays show the ball most likely deviated off Aish on the way to Cottrell. Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall claimed it would have been hard for the umpires to notice the slight deflection, but took aim at Fremantle's discipline after the call.

“We’ve been so complimentary of Freo; their discipline, their pressure and everything they’ve brought - but the lost their call when they thought the ball was touched off the boot and the umpire didn’t pay it," he said on Fox Sports commentary. “The one thing you’ve got to do is keep your cool, and they lost it.

"They would’ve had a minute to try win a centre clearance and go forward, but obviously they were too vociferous with their protests over the ball being touched, before Cottrell marked it."

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps admitted he was unsure if the umpire would pay the mark in the final seconds of the contest. “I’m not 100% sure, I was nervous that the ball might’ve been touched off the mark when (Cottrell) kicked that goal, so I thought it might’ve been a review," he said after the game. “I think it was dissent… it made our job a little bit easier in the middle instead of scrambling - you take them ones when you can."

AFL world divided over score review system

The score review system is generally used when the goal umpire is unclear on whether a shot at goal has been touched or grazed the post. However, Hewett's effort was not at goal, but a kick to a teammate in a better position. This opens up the argument on whether the score review system should be used since it led to a goal, or whether it was rightfully ignored.

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AFL great Jobe Watson questioned if the umpires should have gone upstairs since the mark stopped play anyway. "If it's a clear touched and we've got video evidence to suggest and support it...it becomes a stopped play anyway, why not just go upstairs?" he said. However, Richmond great Matthew Richardson did not want the review system implemented unless it was only for goals, since it would disrupt the flow of the game.

"You open up a big can of worms there with other decisions throughout a game...it's an interesting conversation to have," he said back to Watson. Regardless, fans were divided on the incident having claimed Fremantle were hard done by in the final seconds of the clash.

Justin Longmuir hits out at Fremantle discipline

Regardless of the tough call against Fremantle, Longmuir claimed the dissent from Freo's Jordan Clark was not good enough in the final moments. "We should have just got on with it," Longmuir said.

"Even if they weren't happy with the (umpiring) call before, there's not much you can do. The players clearly thought they touched the footy and they still say that now. But it's a really hard call for the umpire to make ... we just need to move on because the umpires are never going to backtrack."