AFL Acknowledges Incorrect Free Kick in Geelong-Adelaide Match
The Australian Football League (AFL) has acknowledged an incorrect free kick decision occurred during the fourth quarter of the Round 7 match between Geelong and Adelaide, which Geelong won by eight points. The AFL Review Centre (ARC) did not intervene in the controversial "last touch" call. The league later stated this decision would have been overturned if sufficient time had been available.
The AFL has indicated it will review its late-game procedures in response to the incident.
Match Overview
Geelong defeated Adelaide 9.14 (68) to 9.6 (60) in the Round 7 fixture. This victory extended Geelong's unbeaten home record against Adelaide to 23 years.
Adelaide, playing without several key players including Jordan Dawson, Taylor Walker, Rory Laird, and Callum Ah-Chee, briefly took the lead in the final quarter after overcoming a 20-point deficit. Zac Taylor contributed three goals for Adelaide during the game.
The Disputed Incident
The incident occurred in the last quarter with Adelaide trailing by two points. Geelong player Tom Atkins and Adelaide player Zac Taylor were involved in a contest for the ball near the boundary line.
An umpire awarded a free kick to Geelong under the 'last touch' rule, ruling that Taylor had been the last to contact the ball before it went out of bounds. Replays, however, indicated the ball last came off Atkins' boot.
Atkins quickly collected the ball and took his kick, which commentators noted occurred before the AFL Review Centre (ARC) could intervene. From the subsequent play, Geelong's Jack Martin kicked a goal, extending Geelong's lead to eight points. This became the final margin of the game.
Taylor was observed to express displeasure with the umpire's initial decision. Atkins later commented on the incident:
"It was pretty line ball. I just tried to grab the ball and act like it was mine."
AFL's Response and Review Centre Role
On the Friday following the match, the AFL released a statement acknowledging that the free kick decision was incorrect. The league explained that the ARC did not have adequate time to review the incident and overturn the initial decision before play resumed.
The AFL statement clarified:
"If the ARC did intervene, the decision would have been overturned."
The league indicated it would review its late-game procedures, including the potential to briefly stop play, to ensure correct outcomes in similar situations. This incident marks the fifth time in four seasons that the AFL has admitted a significant umpiring error in a close game involving Adelaide.
Coaches' Reactions
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks addressed the incident in his post-match press conference but stated that the decision did not play a critical role in determining the game's outcome. He instead focused on his team's loss of contested possession.
Geelong coach Chris Scott expressed support for the ARC to intervene in contentious last-touch decisions.
Scott advocated for accuracy in decisions, even if such interventions might cause slight delays in the game.
Commentator Perspectives
- David King, a former North Melbourne player, stated that replays showed the ball clearly came off Atkins' boot. He also commented that Atkins “outsmarted the men in green” and called for consistency in the review system if it aims for perfection.
- Jack Riewoldt, a former Richmond player, questioned the ARC's non-intervention, suggesting that if a prior review occurred earlier in the game, this incident also warranted one.
- Jason Dunstall, an Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend, advocated for ARC intervention in such moments to ensure correct free kick decisions, regardless of whether the ball has returned to play.