AFL 2020: Wil Powell, Gold Coast Suns star does Adam Gilchrist with classy honesty
An AFL star has “done an Adam Gilchrist” after he was a victim of his own brutal honesty, leaving footy commentators awe-struck.
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Gold Coast Suns player Wil Powell has been commended across the footy world for an act of absolute sporting class in his team’s tussle with the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night.
Powell was heard on the broadcast microphones informing a goal umpire he had not touched a kick from Western Bulldogs player Patrick Lipinksi as the ball floated over the top of the goal square.
The goal umpire originally called for a score review after Powell’s outstretched hand appeared to come desperately close to touching the ball just inches before the goal line.
However, just seconds after he’d sent to the goal to the AFL Review Centre, Powell walked over to the on-field umpire and the goal umpire to concede the goal, which allowed the Bulldogs to take the lead just two minutes before the half time siren.
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Powell’s impressive honesty and sportsmanship left footy legend Nick Riewoldt more than a little impressed.
“I think Powell’s done an Adam Gilchrist,” Riewoldt said in commentary for Fox Footy.
“I think he’s said, ‘I didn’t touch it’.”
Footy great Dwayne Russell also couldn’t believe it.
“Powell says he’s touched it. Or did Powell say he didn’t touch it,” he said during the live match broadcast.
“If you rock and roll it, his finger does do a little bending there.
“You have to admire his honesty. The goal stands.”
The review quickly backed up Powell’s admission.
“Review complete, looking at this angle, there appears to be a gap between the ball and the Gold Coast defenders hand before it crosses the goal line,” the score review official said.
Wil Powell admits he didn't touch this shot from Pat Lipinski and the Bulldogs head into the main break with a lead. @DrinkWiseAus | #AFLSunsDogs pic.twitter.com/h7zsmTccU6
— AFL (@AFL) July 23, 2020
While he was impressed with the classy act, Riewoldt admitted at half time he wouldn’t have confessed to the lack of contact had the game been a grand final.
He said he would have been complaining to the goal umpire in the same fashion Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni did during Essendon’s famous win over Carlton in 1993.
“If it was a grand final I would have been doing my best Stephen Silvagni,” he said.
“Did we need the review? the player’s already admitted it.”
Good sportsmanship from Will Powell but I’m not sure Stewie Dew will be super happy about it #afl #aflsunsdogs
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) July 23, 2020
Spirit of football nomination for Will Powell. #aflsunsdogs
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) July 23, 2020
Lipinski’s goal allowed the Bulldogs to lead by two points at half time before they eventually held off the Suns 7.9 (51) to 6.10 (46).
Originally published as AFL 2020: Wil Powell, Gold Coast Suns star does Adam Gilchrist with classy honesty