Collingwood expect the AFL to address the controversial free kick that “gifted” Fremantle a goal late in Friday’s thrilling draw, as Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir concedes his side “probably stole two points”.
The Magpies were up by 25 points in the final term before the Dockers fought back and secured the third draw of the season.
But the result wasn’t without controversy after Dockers big man Sean Darcy was given a shot on goal, 15m out directly in front, with 10 minutes to play because Magpies youngster Lachlan Sullivan failed to give the ball back to the umpire – instead passing it to teammate Nick Daicos.
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Umpire Mathew Nicholls awarded Darcy the free kick – which he goaled – after telling players Sullivan needed to pass him the ball.
The Dockers then kicked two more goals to set up the thrilling finish.
Commentators labelled the goal a “gift” for Darcy, with four-time premiership winner Luke Hodge calling for “common sense” to prevail.
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“I’m looking forward to what the AFL tell us about that because I wasn’t aware that was a free kick. But maybe it clearly is because they don’t pay things that aren’t there,” Magpies coach Craig McRae said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what they say.
“It will be what it will be.
“It doesn’t help us does it?”
McRae admits he was “confused” by what the call was, while Longmuir was confident the free kick was correct – but didn’t see it unfold.
“I’ve seen that paid before (not returning the footy),” Longmuir said post-match.
“It’s time wasting isn’t it? That’s why the umpire would have paid it?
“We’re not going to sit here and go through every umpiring decision.”
McRae said he was initially told the free kick was for touching an umpire, but was later informed of the returning the ball controversy.
But the Magpies coach refused to put the result on that moment – instead stating how proud he was of the fight shown by his side, especially after injuries to Mason Cox and Brody Mihocek.
“We made way more mistakes than the umpires did tonight – and he’s I just assume umpiring to the letter of the law,” McRae said.
“If the umpire comes out and the AFL go that was a mistake, that doesn’t help us either. We’re just moving on. There’s no point for us sitting there.
“Reality is it’s probably a free kick and we move on.
“This would have been one of our best victories for the year. We knew that it was going to be a really tough challenge for us today.
“We just showed we’ve got players who can come in wear a Collingwood jumper – it doesn’t matter what number they are wearing and they do their job. You add adversity to it and we’re proud of that.”
The Magpies now sit with six wins, three losses and two draws with an injury list that has no less than 12 players – including premiership stars Jeremy Howe, Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey, Tom Mitchell and Will Hoskin-Elliott.
Source Agencies
