AFL under pressure to embrace Adelaide technology company that could solve its score review crisis
THE AFL faces pressure to invest in the game and fix its credibility with in-house score review technology. And the Adelaide company that devised cricket’s revolutionary flashing wickets has emerged as a willing, long-term solution.
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THE crack Adelaide company that devised cricket’s revolutionary flashing wickets has emerged as a willing, long-term solution to AFL’s score review furore.
Port Adelaide president David Koch is demanding the AFL take control of the score review system following Adelaide forward Josh Jenkins’ controversial, decisive goal that appeared to hit the post in Showdown 45.
Adelaide firm Zing international believes it could transfer the flashing bail technology that has lit up cricket matches and improved decision making globally including last summer’s Ashes series.
“There would be a product you could develop to tell you definitively whether the ball had hit the post or not and look good, be entertaining,” said Zing’s David Ligertwood of the technology devised by Adelaide genius Bronte Eckermann.
“We would be confident it would obviously work and give an indication when the ball hit the post to any extent. It wouldn’t be cheap with all the relevant amount of LED’s and electronics but we have to look at those things in detail.
“We have begun developing our technology for another product, we have in mind, that we could adapt that to this situation.”
However, Zing or its rivals will have to demonstrate that its expertise can be applied to Australian football which could take time.
The AFL is apparently loathe to pay significant sums for in-house technology unless it can be proven to completely differentiate between a player touching the post, in an attempt to spoil the ball, or the ball touching the post.
Koch has demanded the AFL shell out to employ video review technology that has become integral to cricket and tennis adjudication and television coverage. Television replays failed to determine if both ends of bails had lifted to dismiss batsmen in cricket before Zing’s groundbreaking flashing wickets technology solved the issue.
Port coach Ken Hinkley says the AFL can’t afford not to invest in score review technology given it’s a billion dollar industry. Ligertwood notes the financial spin-off flashing goalposts could have for broadcasters and the game.
“It is an investment in cost but adds commercial value to the sport,” Ligertwood told The Advertiser.
“It is a win-win situation on all fronts, that is what a cricket product does well, why it has been pretty successful and what you could look to do in footy as well.”
It can be revealed the AFL contacted Zing shortly before the inaugural AFLX season regarding its technology but the Port Adelaide-based company required a greater lead in time to deliver a product.
“They were doing some flashing goalposts but there was no time for us to develop what we would call a serious product,” said Ligertwood.
Zing’s patented sensor system uses complex electrical engineering and mechanics that can detect contact and signal within a millisecond which would be useful in the top half of posts where umpire vision can be compromised.
A Jenkins goal that appeared to graze the post in Showdown 45 could be reversed with adequate technology.
“We have good expertise and track record in developing LED’s, electronics and intellectual property so on that front so we are in a good position to do some other products,” Ligertwood said.