AFL puts goal umpire who called Josh Jenkins’ derby goal back in the frame for Showdown 46

The AFL has appointed the goal umpire at the centre of the Josh Jenkins’ controversy in Showdown 45 to work the goal in Saturday’s derby … but with more technology to help him.

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SA-based goal umpire Daniel Hoskin — the man who signalled the Crows forward Josh Jenkins’ controversial goal that settled Showdown 45 — has kept the AFL’s faith for Saturday’s derby at Adelaide Oval.

But if Showdown 46 delivers a repeat of the supposed post grazing that came with Jenkins’ kick at the Oval’s northern end, Hoskin — and his goal umpiring colleague, Peter Challen — there will be more than video score review to settle the doubt this time.

The AFL also will have one of the SANFL’s most-accomplished goal umpires working the new “AFL edge” snickometer at the Oval, possibly for the first time, in the review room in the Riverbank Stand.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley described the Jenkins goal late in Showdown 45 as a “monumental mistake” — and the Power challenged the AFL to put more technology and more vision in the hands of the score reviewers.

Jasper Pittard waits for the score review on Josh Jenkins winning goal in Showdown 45. Picture: Sarah Reed

Even Jenkins’ brought into question the validity of his match-winning goal with his immediate post-match comments in which he said: “My grandma raised me not to tell fibs. I think it hit the post.”

The AFL’s post-game study of the incident concluded “that after accessing all relevant vision” in 23 seconds there was “no clear evidence beyond reasonable doubt” to call Jenkins’ kick a behind.

But this controversy prompted the AFL to introduce its version of cricket’s snickometer — but not at all AFL venues. Adelaide Oval does have this technology.

In seven games at Adelaide Oval this year, the “AFL edge” system has not been required. Recent tests of the equipment have the AFL confident the system will work if there is another controversial call to be assessed in score review.

The AFL has put the derby in the hands of three experienced umpires, led by Brett Rosebury who has been in control of more than 400 AFL league games and eight grand finals. He will be working with Leigh Fisher, who has officiated in more than 100 AFL games, and Andrew Stephens.