Home / Sports / AFL Review Centre slammed for controversial free kick call
AFL Review Centre slammed for controversial free kick call
26 Mar
Summary
- AFL Review Centre didn't intervene on a contentious free kick.
- Adelaide Crows lost a close match against Geelong Cats.
- Replays clearly showed the ball last touched a Geelong player.
The AFL Review Centre (ARC) has been heavily criticized for its decision not to intervene on a controversial free kick awarded to Geelong during their recent match against Adelaide. The incident occurred in the final quarter of Geelong's narrow eight-point victory.
Adelaide, trailing by a slim margin, felt hard done by when young player Zac Taylor was penalized. Replays conclusively showed that the ball had last been touched by Geelong's Tom Atkins, not Taylor, contrary to the umpire's call.
Despite the clear evidence, the ARC did not review or overturn the decision. This inaction allowed Geelong to gain possession and subsequently score a goal through Jack Martin, a pivotal moment in the game. Former players David King and Jack Riewoldt expressed their disappointment with the ARC's oversight, questioning the consistency of their reviews.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks, however, downplayed the free kick's impact on the final result. Nonetheless, the incident has reignited discussions about the accuracy and application of the 'last touch' rule and the ARC's role in ensuring game integrity.
