Umpiring officials meet with Geelong coach Chris Scott after spiel over rule interpretations

The AFL sent two of its most senior umpiring officials down the highway to meet Chris Scott after his monologue about umpiring following Geelong’s loss to Port Adelaide.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – MAY 10: Chris Scott, Senior Coach of the Cats addresses his players during the 2024 AFL Round 09 match between the Geelong Cats and Port Adelaide Power at GMHBA Stadium on May 10, 2024 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AFL sent two of its most senior umpiring officials down the highway to meet Chris Scott on Monday after the Geelong coach hit out at several rule interpretations.

The league’s new head of officiating Stephen McBurney and head umpiring coach Michael Jennings spoke to Scott in person to thrash out his concerns over holding the ball and advantage rulings.

Scott used much of his post-match press conference on Friday night to call for umpires to blow the whistle faster on holding the ball and called on the AFL to study rival sports to enhance its advantage rule.

Cats spearhead Jeremy Cameron’s goal kicked from a scramble in the goalsquare was denied in the frantic finish on Friday night after the umpire declared that there was no advantage to Geelong.

Ollie Henry was rewarded a holding the ball free kick after tackling Zak Butters in the forward pocket.

Jhye Clark took the advantage and his kick towards the goalsquare ended up with Cameron finishing the goal.

But instead the umpire brought the ball back to Henry, who missed the set-shot as the Cats fell to Port Adelaide by six points.

Chris Scott spoke at length about the state of the game following the Cats’ loss on Friday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“The really important part for me is we are connected with our clubs, we are connected to our coaches and we’re all on the same page in terms of rules, in terms of the way our umpires are coached to interpret them and we’re on the same page in terms of outcomes,” AFL footy boss Laura Kane told the league’s website.

“ (McBurney and Jennings) will head down to Geelong today to meet with Chris and make sure we’re on the same page moving forward and reconnect interpretations of various things. Some from the game, some just generally.

“They are the opportunities that we take from this commentary and these types of situations. We take the opportunity to educate our clubs and in turn be educated.”

Kane said it was the right decision to bring the ball back to Henry.

“The umpire’s whistle has gone at almost the same time that the player (Clark) has disposed at the ball,” Kane said.

“It’s worth noting it came off the side of his boot, it was a shanked kick, and the umpire has made the decision to bring that back and give Geelong the shot on goal.

“So we were comfortable with the way it was officiated.”

Scott said players were being too long to dispose of the ball, which placed tacklers at risk of being suspended for injuring players.

“You can be spun 360 and still get time to get rid of the ball after having prior opportunity,” Scott said.

Originally published as Umpiring officials meet with Geelong coach Chris Scott after spiel over rule interpretations