Aussie rules: Footy legends call for change after ‘biggest matchday error’ in 20 years

AFL rules must be changed to allow for automatic video scoring reviews, sporting greats have demanded in the wake of the Crows’ “shattering” last-minute loss to Sydney.

AFL rules must be changed to allow for automatic video scoring reviews, sporting greats have demanded as the Crows condemned the “injustice” of their last-minute loss to Sydney.

The league’s South Australian boss, Gillon McLachlan, apologised on Sunday to a furious Adelaide over the blunder and stood down the goal umpire at the centre of its video review storm.

But as the AFL ruled out immediate rule changes and compensation to a “seething” Crows, sporting identities called for a technology overhaul as the goal umpire faced online threats.

Crows chairman, former Premier John Olsen, said the club would pursue “redress” over the Adelaide Oval “injustice” on Saturday night.

Adelaide Chairman John Olsen said it was a “costly decision to the Adelaide Football Club both on and off the field”. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

He said it was a “costly decision to the Adelaide Football Club both on and off the field”.

Mr Olsen hoped for “some recognition and redress” which he said could include a “suite of options” such as travel costs or scheduling changes.

“The club has had ongoing discussions with the AFL and they accept we need to do better than this,” he said. “That might mean rule changes (in the future).”

Crows chief executive Tim Silvers called it “the biggest matchday error” in his 20 year football career, which had left members “shattered”.

“This was a monumental mistake,” he said. The club accepted the AFL’s apology.

The drama unfolded with 80 seconds left and the Crows down by two points, when Adelaide midfielder Ben Keays suddenly kicked from the northeastern pocket.

Amid wild celebrations, the umpire – who has been involved in other controversial decisions including in a 2018 Showdown – signalled it had, in fact, touched the goalpost for a point. He did not ask for a review.

The Swans quickly kicked the ball back into play, after which under current rules there was no further opportunity to seek opinion from the AFL’s Video Review Centre.

Former Crows coach Malcolm Blight described the loss as “heartbreaking” as he called for automatic video reviews regardless of the score. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Hall of famer Malcolm Blight described the Crows’ loss as “heartbreaking” as he called for automatic video reviews regardless of the score.

Blight, a two time premiership player with North Melbourne and dual victorious Adelaide coach, said changes would ensure fairness and stop defence areas being “flooded”.

“The reason is you can lost a grand final by a point and there’s been grand finals lost by a point,” he said.

“But it’s heartbreaking. I’ve seen points given as goals and I’ve seen goals given as points.”

“The AFL should change the rules. They really should be looking at behinds also.”

Geelong champion Jimmy Bartel said the panicked umpire didn’t use an available process.

“We keep getting told we are a billion dollar industry and then drift back into amateur-hour stuff,” he said.

Prominent Adelaide lawyer and soccer identity, Greg Griffin, also called for automatic use of video reviews, which is used in international football matches and tournaments.

“Sorry is nowhere near good enough,” he said.

“They should have replayed it. The Crows can’t be properly compensated for this error.”

Former dual Crows premiership captain, Mark Bickley, said flawed processes should be reviewed but the club had chances to win. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Dual Crows premiership captain, Mark Bickley, said flawed processes should be reviewed but the club had chances to win.

“If I was Adelaide, I would ask the AFL to review … their system and processes and if there is a better way of doing it,” he said.

“This one was human error. If you’re seeking the perfect system, I think you’ll be waiting a while. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”

Ruling out changing the result, Mr McLachlan said the league would review everything at season’s end but downplayed reviewing each decision in a game’s final moments that would stop its flow.

“I’ve been to plenty of games where decisions that are clearly correct are being reviewed potentially over an abundance of caution,” he said

Friends of the Adelaide-based goal umpire, an educator and Crows fan, told how he had received violent messages and online abuse.