'Never seen that': Extraordinary moment that ignited Anzac Day controversy

The booing of Scott Pendlebury after Collingwood’s Anzac Day win over Essendon was the culmination of a number of controversial moments throughout the match.

And none stranger than when all the players completely stopped after what appeared to be a clear free kick to Essendon in the fourth quarter.

‘TODAY IS DIFFERENT’: How booing ‘disgrace’ ruined ‘cherished’ Anzac Day

Jack Crisp looked certain to be pinged for holding the ball after he was tackled by Joe Daniher, and everyone in the vicinity stopped and started walking despite the ball being loose in the forward pocket.

The only problem was the umpire’s whistle never came.

“Every player stopped!” Brian Taylor exclaimed in commentary. “He had to blow the whistle!”

“That’s amazing,” Leigh Matthews added.

It was just one example of umpiring calls that left Essendon fans fuming, who rained boos on the officials at full-time.

AFL great David King said he’d never seen anything like the anger in the stands after the final siren.

“I haven’t seen the MCG with such pent-up anger at the end of the game in my whole life,” he said, declaring the standard of officiating wasn’t good enough.

“The standard of umpiring after five rounds is of major concern,” he said in commentary.

“It’s a tinder box right now, it’s about to explode. The Essendon crowd are not happy, and they’re not happy with the umpiring.

“Call a spade a spade, there were three or four opportunities for the umpires to get involved in the game and they stood back.

“The players virtually stopped the game and paid their own free kick three or four times. I’m concerned as they leave the stadium that they’re not going to get any trouble.”

‘Shame’

It all exploded after full-time when Pendlebury was also booed as he was announced as the Anzac medallist.

In all likelihood, Pendlebury was just in the wrong place at the wrong, but Nathan Buckley was in no mood for excuses after Pendlebury’s words were drowned out.

“Shame on anyone that booed a champion,” the Collingwood coach said.

“I would just like to acknowledge the fact that we are blessed to have an opportunity to play on this day to represent the AFL, so thank you to the Essendon football club.

“We as a football club are very proud to have the opportunity to represent on Anzac Day.”

with AAP