Andrew Capel: Crows debacle shows why the AFL needs to introduce a ’challenge’ system

Umpiring howlers have arguably cost Adelaide eight premiership points and a shot at finals this year – and things have to change, writes Andrew Capel.

Enough is enough. The time has come for AFL clubs to be given the right to an umpiring decision challenge.

The shocking goal umpiring mistake that has likely cost Adelaide a finals berth this season has highlighted the need for clubs to, at times, be able to take matters into their own hands.

While the improved Crows – one of the most exciting teams in the competition when they are on song – have blown games with erratic goalkicking, two horrible, late-game decisions have arguably robbed them of two wins and eight precious premiership points that would have secured their first finals spot since 2017.

The first was a clear high-contact free kick that was not awarded to Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson in the dying seconds of his team’s agonising two-point loss to ladder-leading Collingwood at the MCG in Round 15.

Dawson – one of the Crows’ best kicks – was cruelly denied a free to win the game when Magpie Jamie Elliott collected him high after he had gathered a ball driven inside 50 by Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien.

Dawson sustained a badly cut lip, which dripped blood, in the incident and pleaded for a free kick but play was waved on and the Pies cleared the ball to hang on for the win.

Crow Ben Keays celebrates what he thought was a matchwinning goal against Sydney at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

AFL head of umpiring Dan Richardson later conceded the call had been missed by the field umpires, saying they had a “restricted view of the contest” and that Dawson should have been awarded a set shot to win the game after the final siren.

The second major incident, which has sent angry Crows fans into a frenzy, came at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night when midfielder Ben Keays’ clear snap shot goal from just inside the boundary line that should have put Adelaide in front against Sydney with 71 seconds left on the clock was wrongly adjudged a behind.

The officiating goal umpire did not call for a review, believing that Keays’ shot had flicked the goalpost.

But replays showed the ball was well inside the big white upright, which should have capped the Crows’ stirring comeback from 44 points behind and put them four points up in a game that was likely to decide their finals fate.

As the Adelaide players celebrated Keays’ “goal”, a smart-thinking Sydney quickly kicked the ball back into play – not allowing time for the ARC (AFL Review Centre) to review the incident or for the field umpires to refer to a review – and transitioned it to a safe area as time expired, resulting in the Swans holding on for a controversial one-point win and changing the complexion of the finals make-up.

Vision that shows Crow Ben Keays’ shot at goal was incorrectly deemed a point. Picture: Fox Sports.

While the goal umpire, who if he was in any doubt should have called for a goal review, which would have provided clear evidence to overturn the decision, it’s time the disadvantaged club had a say in proceedings.

Such a system works well in cricket, tennis and American football.

In cricket, both the batting and bowling sides can challenge an umpiring decision.

In Test cricket, each team is allowed no more than three unsuccessful challenges per innings.

In tennis, a player must signal to the chair umpire promptly to request a challenge.

Players typically get three challenges per set.

America’s high-profile NFL allows two coaches challenges a game, which initiate Instant Replay reviews.

Soccer’s VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system is a good support tool for officials.

Given what’s at stake in high level football – and the impact two dreadful decisions have had on the Crows this year (there is the financial aspect as well as finals action) – the AFL should strongly consider introducing one challenge per team per game.

Collingwood could have challenged Cat Jeremy Cameron's goal kicked from outside the boundary line in their Round 22 clash at the MCG.

We don't want continual hold-ups in play – there is enough of those as it is with some unnecessary, time-wasting goal reviews – but a club should be able to hold one ace up its sleeve.

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson pleads with umpires after his side’s two-point loss to Collingwood in Round 15, pointing to where he copped a late high hit from Magpie Jamie Elliott.

Crows Shane McAdam and Rory Laird the loss to Sydney. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty

This would clearly be left for the late howler, which could decide a game, like the Dawson and Keays incidents, and should be left to the captain’s or coach’s discretion.

They could be given 10 or 15 seconds to alert the umpires that they want to challenge a decision, resulting in play immediately being halted.

There would be minimal hold-up and no worse than the time goal reviews currently take.

“I understand we don’t want more time wasted but it’s so important to get the results right because this is probably the biggest match day error I’ve seen in footy and the ramifications for us, the Swans and three or four other teams is huge,’’ a rightly angry Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers said of the botched goal that might have cost his club its season.

“I’m open to those ideas (a captain’s or coach’s review) because we have the best game in the world but we need to keep evolving.

“If that’s the last two minutes like in the NFL when it gets taken out of the umps hands and is done by ARC, let’s look at that. My kids are right into soccer and you see the quality of VAR and they can bring it back (after a decision).

“For the integrity of the comp, these are things we should look at closely.’’

While more time delays aren’t ideal, challenges would actually add another layer of excitement and intrigue to the AFL and, most importantly, ensure better outcomes.

If a team wastes their challenge, so be it, but they must be given a chance to overturn such a howler that occurred on the weekend.

NUMBERS GAME

5

Crows losses by a goal or less this season – the most in the AFL.

6

Consecutive Brisbane victories against Collingwood – the AFL’s longest active win streak against the Pies.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“I’m not sure who broke a mirror this year, we just don’t seem to be able to find a way to win those (games). Or maybe we’ve just got to be better.”

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks after the agonising loss to Sydney.

“Clearly Finn Maginness is someone that doesn’t want the ball, so that makes it a bit challenging and a bit frustrating.’’

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on the Hawthorn tagger’s tactics.