AFL Admits Umpire Should Have Called for Score Review in Geelong’s Loss to Carlton
The Australian Football League (AFL) has acknowledged that umpire David Rodan should have initiated a score review after Geelong was denied a clear goal in their close four-point loss to Carlton on Friday night. The incident has sparked significant debate, with Cats coach Chris Scott suggesting the league should reconsider a recent rule change.
Carlton secured a remarkable 12.16 (88) to 12.12 (84) victory at the MCG, continuing their resurgence under interim coach Josh Fraser. However, the game’s most contentious moment came early when Geelong appeared to be robbed of a goal.
Ollie Dempsey managed to get his leg to the ball before it crossed the goal-line, but umpire David Rodan did not have a clear view due to a collision with Carlton player Blake Acres. Acres is likely to face a fine from the AFL match review officer for making contact with the umpire. However, his actions inadvertently prevented Carlton from conceding a goal and ultimately contributed to their win.
Instead of requesting a score review from the AFL Review Centre (ARC), Rodan awarded the Cats a behind. Replays clearly showed that the ball struck Dempsey below the knee, indicating it was a clear goal. This situation highlights a critical issue in the current rules governing score reviews.
Until Round 7, the ARC had the authority to intervene after the game and award goals if they deemed it necessary. However, the AFL recently changed the rules, removing the ARC’s power to make such decisions after play had resumed. This change followed an incident where the ARC awarded St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall a mark and goal over a minute after play had restarted, which led to concerns about disrupting the flow of the game.
On Saturday, the AFL admitted that Rodan should have called for a review but stated they would not alter the rule. The decision to remove the ARC’s intervention power was made to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
In his post-match press conference, Cats coach Chris Scott expressed his disagreement with the rule change. “I probably disagree with the theory in principle that someone sitting in the ARC can’t see,” he said. “The technology is there for the howler, and someone within the ARC should’ve seen that was a howler within seconds.”
Scott emphasized that the incident was obvious to everyone involved. “You guys (media) will talk about it more. I don’t think I really have that much more to add. All I would be doing is making the observation that’s as plain to you as it is to me.”
Reactions from the AFL World
The incident has prompted reactions from various figures in the AFL world. Speaking on Channel 7 after the game, Xander McGuire asked whether it was a clear example of the AFL “overreacting” when they changed the rules. Carlton great Dale Thomas suggested that the situation could have been resolved simply by Rodan calling for a review.
While Scott refused to comment on whether the error cost Geelong the win, he stressed the importance of holding the entire department to high standards. “I certainly think that they all— that whole department—should be held to high standards. But honestly, I’m not going to spend a second more thinking about it.”
The controversy surrounding the rule change and the incident itself has reignited discussions about the role of technology and the need for consistency in officiating. As the AFL continues to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on ensuring fair play and maintaining the integrity of the game.
