Kangaroos fans were blowing up after Eddie Ford was pulled up for a dangerous tackle on Melbourne’s Steven May in the third quarter of the Demons’ thrilling win on Saturday.
The incident in question took place with just over nine minutes left in the period as Ford span May around, with the Demons star coming under scrutiny for his last action which seemingly accentuated head-into-turf contact.
The referee paused before eventually awarded a free kick to Melbourne for what he deemed a dangerous tackle after May grabbed at his head.
However, North Melbourne fans felt their team should have been on the receiving end of that call with May instead pinged for holding the ball.
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Jobe Watson described the call as “perplexing” in commentary, suggesting North Melbourne fans had a right to feel hard done by, and even former Demons captain Nathan Jones agree.
“Perplexing for me,” Watson said on Channel 7.
“It wasn’t paid earlier. The umpire really held onto it and didn’t make the call when the motion was made.”
“It’s not a free kick for mine,” added Jones.
“I don’t think there’s a genuine slinging, dumping motion. Obviously they are twisting, but I feel like his shoulder touched the ground first.”
The incident caused plenty of debate on social media, with West Coast premiership player Will Schofield suggesting players who hold their head after a dangerous tackle should be sent off the ground for an assessment.
Former AFLW player Kate McCarthy, meanwhile, branded May’s actions an “awful look”.
Source Agencies
