'What a joke': AFL world erupts over 'extraordinary' goal post controversy
Dane Rampe narrowly avoided costing Sydney their win against Essendon on Friday night with a moment of absolute madness.
Sydney co-captain Rampe jumped onto an SCG goal post and started climbing it as Bombers midfielder David Myers attempted to slot a match-winning goal from beyond the 50m arc on the full-time siren.
Myers’ shot fell well short and the Swans prevailed by five points but Rampe’s bizarre acrobatics put him at risk of conceding a free kick in front of goal, which would have ensured the visitors claimed the four premiership points.
AFL laws stipulate that players must not intentionally shake a goal or behind post, with the penalty a free kick from the top of the goal square.
Hame says the umpires were comfortable that Rampe's action didn't affect the result of the game.#AFLSwansDons pic.twitter.com/XflstXlcUh
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 10, 2019
Jake Stringer and Cale Hooker were among the Bombers to rush over to controlling umpire Andre Gianfagna following Myers’ failed shot.
Gianfagna, who saw the chaos unfold and had ordered Rampe “down, down!”, dismissed their complaints.
The Seven Network suggested that umpires boss Hayden Kennedy was content with proceedings but admitted a different umpire may have penalised Rampe.
“It would’ve been disappointing to have the game decided by that, but climbing it does shake it though,” Seven pundit and 2007 Brownlow medallist Bartel said.
“It’s the right result.
“I noticed it live. Who is that flying off the back fence like Spider-Man? He got a long way up. That’s a high climb.
“I guess we’re lucky it didn’t get close.”
Essendon coach John Worsfold, speaking before Seven dug up footage of Rampe’s rollick, suggested Myers was a “one per cent” chance of kicking the goal.
“He was a long way out and it was pretty blustery out there, so it was going to be a miracle kick,” Worsfold said in the post-match press conference.
However many other pundits and fans believed Essendon had been robbed.
Fact kick fell short irrelevant. Rampe climbed post, post was shaking as ball in air … free kick, and Essendon win. Extraordinary. Ump should have blown whistle, not instructed Rampe to jump down and behave himself. @7NewsMelbourne @7AFL
— Mark Stevens (@Stevo7AFL) May 10, 2019
It’s got nothing to do on whether there was any impact on the kick. Read the rule.
— Uncle Terry (@uncleterryd) May 10, 2019
— Peter Jones (@fixation_30) May 10, 2019
Why do we even have a Laws of the Game?
They should say paying a free kick there wouldn't have been in the spirit of the game, which is the true intention of the Laws.I wonder if we can get through a game this year without discussing the umpires? pic.twitter.com/BRvtIE4en5
— Andrew (@amea05) May 10, 2019
@joshriess87 there is your answer.
Umpires have ticked it off.
What a joke.
— Chris michaels (@ChrisMichaels87) May 10, 2019
It's a kick after the siren to win the game and he has jumped on the post. Absolutely unbelievable.
— Josh Riess (@joshriess87) May 10, 2019
There is no possible way to tick this off. Rampe was on the goal post before he kicked the ball. It’s a free kick on the line, the umpire just didn’t pay it.
— Jim Loton (@jim_loton) May 10, 2019
Criminal! This is why people question the @AFL and the legitimacy of the umpires. It's not their call about IF it would effect the game or if the kick would or wouldn't be goal. Their job is enforcing rules. Who's to say it didn't effect the kick, besides that's not the rule.
— andy kerass (@andyker1) May 10, 2019
Rampe’s controversial night
It wasn’t the first time on Friday night that Rampe found himself in hot water with the whistle-blowers.
Rampe, told to play on in the second quarter after the umpire deemed he stepped off the mark, was caught holding the ball by Stringer.
“I can’t hear that … you talk like a little girl,” Rampe fired back at the official.
Stringer converted the resultant set shot.
with AAP
