AFL 2022 Collingwood v Essendon: All the latest news, reaction from the Round 19 game
A “sick” Leigh Matthews has taken aim at the AFL and Gillon McLachlan over the state of the game in the wake of the Jack Ginnivan high tackle controversy — and he hasn’t missed.
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AFL great Leigh Matthews says he felt sick and disturbed when Collingwood young gun Jack Ginnivan wasn’t paid a free kick after a high tackle in Sunday’s electric Magpies’ victory.
In an impassioned plea to protect the fabric of the game on 3AW on Tuesday night, Matthews took aim at the AFL commission and chief executive Gillon McLachlan as he expressed his dismay, declaring “the support the tackler lobby has won a significant battle, I hope they haven’t won the war”.
He said while it was just one free kick, it was “a symbolic free kick that’s showing this is where the game is”.
The AFL said on Monday Ginnivan was responsible for the initial high contact, but deserved a free kick for the secondary contact.
Matthew said it’s been a free kick for “the last 100 years”.
“The fabric of the game’s being attacked,” Matthew said.
“ … I couldn’t sleep Sunday night thinking about it. It’s the symbolism of it that just disturbs me.”
Asked how he felt when he saw the incident, Matthews said: “ I felt sick.”
“I felt sick because (of) the fabric of our game,” Matthews told 3AW.
“One the fabric of the game is umpires treating every player the same … that was virtually not only a high contact headlock, it was bordering on unduly rough play from Mason Redman and the best umpire in the game, Matt Stevic, didn’t blow the whistle.
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“Now I didn’t blame Stevic, I thought to myself, ‘what are they doing to our game’?
“And when I say ‘they’, I mean Richard Goyder and the (AFL) commission who are the only body who can actually change rules and Gillon McLachlan and his cohort of advisers that are making the game easier for the tackler and harder for the bloke with the ball.
“And the fact that Jack Ginnivan, he was victimised, I’d love to speak to Matt Stevic – I’m not saying consciously victimised – but when he (Stevic) saw Jack Ginnivan take possession and when he saw him being tackled his first thought was to look at Jack Ginnivan.
“What did he (Ginnivan) do? Did he lower his body height? And even if you lower you body height a fraction when you sense the tackler coming, that’s kind of automatic, but he seemed to be watching Ginnivan, not what the tackler did and that’s the fabric of our game.
“I was (everything) from disillusioned to disappointed to angry to shocked, it got my blood boiling and frankly two days later (it) still does.
“ … I sort of swore when I stopped coaching about 13 or 14 years ago I’m not going to let footy get to me, don’t let the emotion get too much, but I love the game.
“I’ve been involved with three clubs now. I’m still involved with the Lions, I hope the Lions win (but) I love the game more than I love any club these days, because and it’s very fabric, of looking after the player with the ball, I’ve been around the footy world a long time and what is being done to the game is being put as a lower priority to stopping players playing for free kicks.”
Matthews said he didn’t blame Stevic because “umpires only do what they’re told to do”.
“ … I’d love to know whether Matt Stevic thinks he’s made a mistake … or is that what the rules are now?” Matthew said.
“This is what the game is saying we want the umpires to umpire.
“That’s what disturbed me the most.”
He said could understand some high free kicks not being paid.
“If you duck your head into contact, that’s a different movement,” he said.
“But as a tacklers approaching you and you sort of almost hunch your shoulders, pull your head in virtually, I mean we all do it as players … and when you sense a tackler coming you bend your knees a little bit so that you’ve got some balance because you’re never sure whether you’re going to go left, right … you don’t stand upright.”
Daicos DNA: How Josh channelled Dad for MCG miracle
—Jay Clark
Josh Daicos’s mind went back to his childhood with his famous father, Peter, and brother Nick.
For years growing up, the trio would have countless shots out in the backyard, or down at the local oval, curling and dribbling kicks home from the tightest of angles.
And when it was too dark to play, they would bring out the tapes of Peter’s extraordinary career where he made those sorts of ridiculous goals a regular highlight.
But on Sunday, it was Josh’s time to bring the MCG crowd to its feet on an extraordinary day for Collingwood.
Josh Daicos said he was living his dream playing each week alongside his brother, Nick, and knew what had to happen as he brilliantly tapped the ball along the boundary line, and sized up the goals on Saturday afternoon.
In that unforgettable moment, instincts took over. It was Daicos, deja vu.
“Growing up with Dad and Nick, that is all we did,” Josh Daicos said.
“We would go and play footy, kick goals and we would always run to the boundary. Thousands. Thousands of times.
“So I have learned that pretty well from Dad, I think, for sure. Maybe I have watched too many of his tapes?
“I’m quite comfortable from the boundary line and it turned out to be a nice goal.
“But once I kept it in (play) I knew I had to do something, so I was lucky I got on the end of it.”
The celebration was immediate as he pointed skywards and was mobbed by teammates.
His father, Peter, watching from the stands, flashed up on the big screen in full celebration mode, too.
“I did see him up there and I had a chuckle,” Josh said.
“He hasn’t been to many of the games lately, so I loved seeing him there.”
But what followed in the unforgettable end of the match was one of the club’s greatest moments as Elliott produced a clutch set shot for the ages.
As the Sherrin sailed through like a laser from 50m, Elliott calmly turned to the delirious Collingwood fan base and tugged his ear.
History was made. Collingwood was in the top four one month out from finals, a year after finishing second last. And everything you want to know about the connection driving Collingwood’s finals charge was on show as players rushed to Elliott to hug the matchwinner.
Josh said it was a spine-tingling moment, and the goosebumps were still there in the rooms after the match. But he couldn’t bring himself to watch the kick.
“I was too nervous to look, so I was looking at the people (fans) on the (goal) line,” Josh said.
“The Essendon faces and our faces (told the story) and then I just bolted to Jamie.
“It was unbelievable.
“Even on the angle, I was pretty pumped that Jamie had the shot.
“He is such a pro, he is so good at his craft and is so cool, calm and collected.
“Our whole team is like that in those situations. I can’t speak more highly of ‘Fly’ (Craig McRae) and our leaders, they just want us to stay calm and play the game.
“We found a way.”
Daicos delight, Elliott's match-winner or Jamarra's sealer from outside 50?
— AFL (@AFL) July 25, 2022
The Round 19 @rebelsport Goal of the Year vote is as tough as it gets.
Head to https://t.co/QOHvx5UsOO to cast your vote! pic.twitter.com/lODjqHMdrd
AFL has a little each way on Ginnivan controversy
– Jon Ralph
The AFL says Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan contributed to the contact from Mason Redman in the contentious non-decision on Sunday but should have received a free kick for secondary contact.
The league’s umpiring department ruled on Monday that a free kick should have been paid to Ginnivan after Redman tackled him to the ground.
But amid a crackdown on players milking free kicks the AFL was adamant that Ginnivan was responsible for the initial contact.
Only when Redman continued to tackle Ginnivan in an “unreasonable” manner _ with the Essendon player dragging him to the ground in a headlock_ should a free kick have been paid.
It came as Collingwood’s Mason Cox accused the AFL of failing to protect players from headhigh contact and Pies legend Tony Shaw said it was “disgraceful” Ginnivan was being singled out.
In a statement the AFL laid out the decision not to penalise Redman by umpire Matt Stevic.
“In this passage of play, Collingwood’s Ginnivan is responsible for the initial high contact however Essendon’s Redman then continues with the tackle in an unreasonable manner, holding Ginnivan around the neck,” it said.
“In this instance a free kick should have been awarded to Ginnivan. Overall the umpires did a terrific job of officiating the high tackle interpretation in all games over the weekend. There are instances where, at full speed, in real time and at ground level, some decisions are extremely challenging to make, and this one is an example of that.”
On Monday Cox made clear on social media the players were not being protected because of the change in interpretation that means players who try to win free kick by dropping at the knees will have their case ignored.
“Wild to think high tackles were put in the game to protect players health and now are being blatantly ignored for a 19 year old. How can we think “the AFL cares about concussions and head high contact” after this,” he said with a video of Mason Redman collecting Ginnivan high.
The AFL has told players if they drop at the knees or throw up their arm to escalate contact they are likely to have their pleas ignored but Ginnivan had not yet dropped his body level when he was caught high.
Collingwood legend Tony Shaw was furious about Ginnivan’s treatment and said the AFL needed to act given the small forward seemed to be targeted by the whistleblowers.
“I am biased but it could have been anyone. I just thought it was disgraceful how this bloke is being treated at the moment. Not just on field but a little bit off field at the moment.
I think he’s been put up as the poster boy for this interpretation. I think it’s wrong,” he told 3AW.
“We know the umpires have been told the interpretation but it seems to be this youngster has not been crucified, but he is the one they are after and I think the club should be pretty hard on going to them and saying this is unfair. What will happen with the umpire with a decision like that? It has become personal?”
There were a season-low 6.8 free kicks for high contact across the round after the interpretation change, down from 12.6 in round 10.
Across the weekend there were less players who attempted to drop for free kicks but the Ginnivan decision was a howler.
Umpires boss Dan Richardson said last week that players had a duty of care to protect themselves after the AFL tightened its interpretation about the milking of headhigh free kicks.
“We want to be clear, if the umpire believes the ball carrier is responsible for the high contact, then they won’t be rewarded,” Richardson said.
“First and foremost, players attempting to win the ball must be protected and the onus of duty of care is on the tackler. However, having won the ball, the ball carrier has a duty of care to not put themselves in a position for high contact.”
Cox slams AFL over Ginnivan non call
Collingwood ruckman Mason Cox has accused the AFL of failing to protect players from headhigh contact as the Pies confirmed they would ask the league about a contentious missed free kick against Jack Ginnivan.
Collingwood legend Tony Shaw accused umpires of getting “personal” when they ignored a clear headhigh free kick against Ginnivan in Sunday’s clash against Essendon.
On Monday Cox went further on social media.
“Wild to think high tackles were put in the game to protect players health and now are being blatantly ignored for a 19 year old. How can we think the AFL cares about concussions and head high contact” after this,” he said with a video of Mason Redman collecting Ginnivan high.
The AFL has told players if they drop at the knees, or throw up their arm to escalate contact, they are likely to have their pleas ignored, but Ginnivan had not yet dropped his body level when he was caught high.
Collingwood president Jeff Browne said the club would pursue the matter to get clarity and needed to “speak up” about Ginnivan’s lack of recent free kicks.
“I think umpiring can go for you and against you. I know the one you are referring to and it certainly stuck out in my mind. We need to clarify this with the umpires, no question about that,” he told 3AW.
“I don’t know whether it’s personal but it’s obviously a directive and in that particular case it was incorrectly applied. We need to speak up about that.”
Wild to think high tackles were put in the game to protect players health and now are being blatantly ignored for a 19 year old. How can we think “the AFL cares about concussions and head high contact†after this. pic.twitter.com/YERSbstC8o
— Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) July 25, 2022
Collingwood legend Tony Shaw was furious about Ginnivan’s treatment and said the AFL needed to act given the small forward seemed to be targeted by the whistleblowers.
“I am biased but it could have been anyone. I just thought it was disgraceful how this bloke is being treated at the moment. Not just on field but a little bit off field at the moment.
I think he’s been put up as the poster boy for this interpretation. I think it’s wrong.
“We know the umpires have been told the interpretation but it seems to be this youngster has not been crucified, but he is the one they are after and I think the club should be pretty hard on going to them and saying this is unfair. What will happen with the umpire with a decision like that? It has become personal.”
There were a season-low 6.8 free kicks for high contact across the round after the interpretation change, down from 12.6 in round 10.
Across the weekend, there were less players who attempted to drop for free kicks but the Ginnivan decision was a howler.
Umpires boss Dan Richardson said last week that players had a duty of care to protect themselves after the AFL tightened its interpretation about the milking of headhigh free kicks.
“We want to be clear, if the umpire believes the ball carrier is responsible for the high contact, then they won’t be rewarded,” Richardson said.
“First and foremost, players attempting to win the ball must be protected and the onus of duty of care is on the tackler. However, having won the ball, the ball carrier has a duty of care to not put themselves in a position for high contact.”
This issue won’t go away even after a great game. The AFL has persecuted a player on a whim and now has again opened up umpires to embarrassment due to this Ginnivan interpretation.
— Tony Shaw (@TonyShaw22) July 24, 2022
Waiting on decision review? If right our game is stuffed!
Umpire the rules of the game not the player #Ginnivan
— Michael McGuane (@MickMCG34) July 24, 2022
Outrageous high contact non decision on Ginnivan. #aflpiesbombers
— Matthew Richardson (@mattricho0) July 24, 2022
Told you #AFLPiesDonshttps://t.co/ME5nj8p60l
— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) July 24, 2022
McRae weighs in on controversial Ginnivan tackle
– Jay Clark
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has lauded his troops’ unbreakable spirit after Jamie Elliott’s extraordinary after-the-siren matchwinner catapulted the Magpies’ into the top four.
Football’s clutch kings got out of jail again to post one of the wins of the season when Elliott nailed a brilliant set shot from 50m out on the boundary to break Essendon’s heart by four points.
Remarkably, it is Collingwood’s ninth-straight win and the eighth time they have triumphed by 11 points or less this season.
But there was more high contact controversy with McRae adamant Jack Ginnivan should have been awarded a free kick for Mason Redman’s high tackle in the first term under the tightened rule.
It is at least the third game Ginnivan has not received a free for high contact, prompting suggestions he has been harshly umpired for leaning into tacklers or dropping his knees.
McRae said Sunday’s win — coming back from 21 points down early in the last term — was one of the most special victories he had been a part of, and testament to Collingwood’s rising self-belief.
“I haven’t stopped shaking. I haven’t been part of a win like it,” McRae said.
“It was pretty exceptional.
“I think we are winning games on spirit, I really do.
“I feel the connection and the spirit the group have, and the will to win has got us over the line.
“We can do a lot better in some areas (centre clearance and aerial contest), but the spirit is there, the care and connection.
“How far will that carry us? Time will tell.”
But the spate of missed high-contact free kicks for Ginnivan will be a contentious talking point again this week.
The clever forward had little impact gathering five possessions for the day after the early Redman tackle around his neck was missed.
Richmond great Matthew Richardson said the non call was “outrageous”, while former Fremantle and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Ginnivan would feel “discriminated against” after another missed whistle.
McRae backed his goal kicker’s technique.
“I thought that was a free kick. He just tackled him high,” McRae said.
“I don’t think there was any leaning into it.
“I’m clear with it (rule). The umpires have come to our training.
“We won’t make blame, or excuses around things. Umpires get some right, some wrong.”
McRae also lauded mid-season rookie draft pick-up Josh Carmichael who became a hero in his third game nailing two fourth-term goals after coming on for injured defender Brayden Maynard (shoulder).
McRae said he was hopeful Maynard and confident Jordan De Goey would play against Port Adelaide on Saturday, but suggested ruckman Brodie Grundy would return through the VFL.
McRae said SANFL recruit Carmichael was relishing every moment.
“He’s living his dream, he can’t believe it,” he said.
“He’s saying ‘How good is this, amazing, we get free boots.
“Every moment is the best thing ever.
“Josh is a county kid who loves playing footy, and he’s got a smile on his face. He’s taking his chances.”
McRae said the Magpies worked their way back into the thrilling final term playing more aggressively with the ball, but said they must sharpen their aerial work and centre clearance.
“Our keys (tall key position players) were off today, not just our rucks,” he said.
“They (Bombers) had too much influence in the air, another part we need to be better at.”
Collingwood can cement a top-four spot and double finals chance over the next month against the Power, Melbourne (MCG), Sydney (SCG) and Carlton (MCG).
Most insane yet: Elliott’s miracle pushes Pies into top four
A goal after the siren from Jamie Elliott has catapulted Collingwood in the top four with four games remaining after they beat Essendon by four points at the MCG in a thriller in front of over 72,000 fans.
The Magpies burst out of the blocks to lead by 37 points at quarter-time, but stopped in the middle two quarters, as the Bombers completely controlled proceedings, and got out to 20 points in front early in the final quarter.
However, the Magpies woke up and started taking the game on through the corridor and rediscovered their overlap game to kick the final four goals and continue their incredible strike rate in games decided by 11 points or fewer this year. Their record is now 8-1 in such games.
With 45 seconds remaining, Essendon youngster Harrison Jones had the chance to win the game for the Bombers when he ran down Jeremy Howe and pinged him holding the ball.
But from 45m out directly in front, Jones hit the post, putting his team up by only two points and giving Collingwood one last roll of the dice from defence, which they maximised to the fullest as Elliott took a contested mark against Kyle Langford and Jake Kelly, before nailing the set shot from 40m out on the boundary, sending the black-and-white faithful into delirium.
The Magpies continued their fairytale run under rookie coach Craig McRae, stringing together their ninth win in a row for the first time since 2012.
And after finishing 17th last year, incredibly they now have their sights on the double chance, although their run home does feature matches against fellow top-four contenders Melbourne, Sydney and Carlton.
However, the incredible win came at a cost for the Magpies who lost star defender Brayden Maynard to a left shoulder injury at three-quarter time.
Essendon also lost star defender Mason Redman at halftime with internal bruising.
After being ambushed in the first quarter by Collingwood who kicked the first six goals, including three to Ash Johnson, the Bombers dominated proceedings, kicking 11 of the next 13 goals and looked as though their late-season giant-killing ways were going to continue.
In fact, the Bombers finished up with sizeable advantages in disposals (365-297), contested possessions (133-117), marks (107-72), tackles (58-47) and clearances (41-26).
However, the 50 minutes of scintillating play from Collingwood that bookended Essendon’s dominance, and featured 10 of the Magpies’ 11 goals, proved the difference.
GINNIVAN GETS ROUGH TREATMENT
It didn’t take long for the re-emphasised too-high interpretation to spark controversy. Its No.1 target, Collingwood goalsneak Jack Ginnivan, was tackled high by Mason Redman at the 21-minute mark of the first quarter, 40m out from goal, but the umpire waved play on despite Ginnivan not appearing to raise his arm or drop his legs. It enraged the Collingwood fans, and four minutes into second quarter they had more to shout about when Essendon’s Zach Merrett was taken high by Scott Pendlebury as he slipped over, but was awarded the free kick.
DAICOS IMPERSONATES HIS DAD
Collingwood’s Josh Daicos submitted a late goal-of-the-year contender late in the first term with a goal that his famous, and freakishly-talented, father Peter would have been proud of. He handballed the ball to himself along the boundary to get around Sam Durham and tapped the loose ball past Nick Hand before gathering the bouncing ball, taking two bounces along the boundary, cutting back inside in the forward pocket and snapping truly from 25m out. Moments later, the MCG scoreboard showed a very happy Peter with a smile from ear to ear looking on.
SCOREBOARD
MAGPIES 6.2 7.4 8.5 12.8 (80)
BOMBERS 0.1 5.3 10.7 11.10 (76)
LERNER’S BEST
Magpies: Howe, Adams, J.Daicos, Crisp, Elliott, Johnson, Carmichael.
Bombers: Merrett, Draper, Shiel, Wright, Guelfi, Durham, Snelling.
GOALS
Magpies: Johnson 3, Mihocek 2, Carmichael 2, Elliott 2, Pendlebury, Cameron, J.Daicos.
Bombers: Wright 3, Guelfi 2, Jones, Phillips, Martin, Langford, Stringer, Draper.
INJURIES
Magpies: Maynard (shoulder).
Bombers: Redman (internal bruising).
UMPIRES
Stevic, Howorth, Whetton
VENUE
MCG
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
LERNER’S VOTES
3 Zach Merrett (Ess)
2 Sam Draper (Ess)
1 Jeremy Howe (Coll)
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Originally published as AFL 2022 Collingwood v Essendon: All the latest news, reaction from the Round 19 game
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