‘Gee it’s harsh’: Commentators call out ‘generous’ and ‘soft’ umpiring in AFL’s MCG opener

Several contentious umpiring decisions were called out by commentators in Carlton’s thrilling win at the MCG on Thursday.

There were some questionable umpiring calls.

Several umpiring decisions came under scrutiny in Carlton’s gritty five-point win over Richmond in the first game of the AFL season in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Richmond led by one point at halftime and two goals at three quarter time, but were overrun by the Blues thanks to final-quarter goals by Tom De Koning, Matt Owies and Adam Cerra.

Carlton won 12.14 (86) to 12.9 (81) to make it a perfect two wins to start the season after they beat Brisbane by one point last week.

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Remarkably, Carlton’s past six victories have each been by a margin of six points or less —making a case they could take over Collingwood’s mantle as the kings of the close finish.

De Koning’s goal came from a 50m penalty when Richmond’s Liam Baker appeared to accidentally knock the ball out of the Carlton ruckman’s hands after he took a mark.

The incident occurred at the back of the centre square and the umpire brought De Koning all the way to the 50m arc, and he slotted the set shot for a goal.

Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall described the 50m penalty itself and the distance given by the umpire as “generous”.

Brian Taylor said on Channel 7: “It should be three metres that side of the square. That is a massive 50. It brings him within distance.”

Matthew Richardson said: “Gee it’s a harsh one isn’t it.”

AFL Hall of Famer Wayne Carey also spotted moments where the Blues appeared to be on the lucky side of contentious calls.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Carey used laughing emojis when writing: “Everyone wants blues to win including umpires”.

Tom De Koning got the free kick at the back of the centre square but was marched inside 50. Photo: Fox Footy.

The umpires also put the whistle away in the dying stages as the ball pinballed between players inside Richmond’s forward 50 as they searched for a matchwinning goal and Carlton tried to keep it in tight.

Fox Footy’s Max Laughton wrote on X: “This new trend of ‘you’re not gonna get called for HTB (holding the ball) in the final minute even when you give them a million chances to call it’ is really something hey.”

But both sides benefited from questionable umpiring calls. A pair of soft free kicks gifted Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch two straightforward goals to help the Tigers stay in touch with Carlton early.

Lynch was awarded a free kick when De Koning was judged to have pushed him in the back in a ruck contest.

Former Carlton player Daniel Gorringe tweeted: “That Lynch TDK free kick might be the worst call of all time.”

The score review and on-field umpires both appeared to get it wrong in a big moment in the fourth quarter where Charlie Curnow was run down from behind by Nick Vlaustin as the Carlton forward took a mark in the goal square.

Instead of taking a set shot, Curnow ran into the open goal only to be tackled by Vlaustin.

The on-field umpire sent the decision to the score review with a soft decision of a behind and replays looked inconclusive as to whether it touched Curnow’s boot or Vlaustin’s boot as it tumbled across the line.

Play resumed with Vlaustin taking a free kick after a holding-the-ball call was made.

Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley wrote on X: “Right decision but it clearly grazes Curnow boot. Inconclusive is whether it touched Vlaustins or not”.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas was scathing of the umpires’ performances in posts he wrote on X.

“Completely incompetent with zero understanding of the game,” he wrote.

“Firstly accidental, secondly 60 metre penalty. 22/13 free kicks working in Blues favour.”

He earlier wrote: “How an umpire can be seduced into that call dumbfounds me. Game defining decisions. Absolutely disgraceful decision.”

Lynch was also given a free kick right in front of the goals when Lewis Young was deemed to have made front-on contact with Lynch — even though it was actually Richmond’s Maurice Rioli who got in the way of his Tigers teammate.

Tom Lynch got a free kick when it was his teammate who got in the way. Photo: Fox Footy.

The Blues won another close one. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Richardson said: “It’s just not there. It’s a mistake.”

Taylor added: “What a beautiful, soft return it’s turned out for him. Two free kicks, and potentially two goals.”

In response to that free kick, Gorringe posted: “Cmon…. You kidding.”

The umpiring decisions evened themselves out as the game went on, but the contentious calls show just how subjective it is to adjudicate a game of AFL.

Richmond livewire Shai Bolton had a chance to win it in the last minute of game but he fumbled the ball and a chance to snap a goal.

Carlton might be the new kings of the close finish. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Harry McKay has looked to have put his goalkicking woes behind him, kicking three goals straight including an impressive long range effort from 55m out in the second quarter.

Richmond were gallant but have slumped to 0-2 for the first time since 2012, and a string of injuries made their night even worse.

Defender Josh Gibcus was carted off the field with a suspected ACL injury after he landed awkwardly, while Dion Prestia suffered another hamstring injury and Tylar Young was concussed.

Originally published as ‘Gee it’s harsh’: Commentators call out ‘generous’ and ‘soft’ umpiring in AFL’s MCG opener