Port Adelaide writes to AFL seeking clarity on how much vision was used to review controversial goal in Showdown 45

PORT Adelaide has written to the AFL wanting clarity — and consistency — with score reviews after the contentious call on Crows forward Josh Jenkins’ goal in Showdown 45.

Josh Jenkins’ controversial kick for goal in the last minutes of Showdown 45 has brought the AFL score review system under review.

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PORT Adelaide is challenging the AFL to take full control of its controversial score review system as doubt exists on whether all video vision was available to assess Crows forward Josh Jenkins’s contentious winning goal in the hectic last minutes of Showdown 45 on Saturday night.

The Power wrote to the AFL on Saturday night — after the league issued a statement endorsing the goal — posing serious questions on the validity of score review that was introduced in 2012.

Of concern to Port Adelaide, the three-point loser to the epic derby, is the AFL statement suggesting the league was able to access more vision post-game from broadcaster Fox Footy than the score reviewer.

Port Adelaide football chief Chris Davies told The Advertiser on Sunday: “We have written to the AFL asking what angles (the reviewer) saw — and what vision the AFL saw hours after the game and why this was not immediately available for score review during the game.”

The AFL says the reviewer looked at “all relevant angles” for 23 seconds. Such a quick review increases the doubt on how much vision was available to him.

Port Adelaide has responded with the question of what the reviewer look at to conclude there was no conclusive evidence to over-rule goal umpire Daniel Hoskin’s initial ruling of a goal. Hoskin called for the review with doubt on whether the ball cleared the western goalpost at the Oval’s Cathedral end.

AFL media release attached on score review matter from rd20 Adelaide Oval match. pic.twitter.com/QpqJcjdOXc

— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) August 4, 2018

The AFL adds “that after accessing all relevant vision” it agrees there is “no clear evidence beyond reasonable doubt” to call Jenkins’ kick a behind, despite Jenkins’ admission that the ball hit the post.

Port Adelaide wants to know what this “additional vision” involves — and why it was not available to the reviewer at Adelaide Oval. It also wants access to all the vision for its own review of the Jenkins’ goal that put the Crows two points in front with 2:38 to play.

The Power’s behind-the-goal vision supports Jenkins’ view that the ball deviated off the goal post.

Port Adelaide also has broadened the debate on the validity of score review after noting there are different systems at different venues. Davies was advised before last week’s match at Ballarat - where the Power played the Western Bulldogs last Sunday - that score review was limited at a “third-tier venue” when compared with prime grounds such as the MCG.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley described the score review as a “monumental mistake” and a “major failure” of the AFL while challenging the league to invest more on technology to assist umpires.

“If I was the AFL, I’d be embarrassed and disappointed in an industry that is so important to so many people,” said Hinkley while praising Adelaide’s work for its 23rd derby win.

Umpire Andrew Mitchell calls for a score review after the Josh Jenkins goal. Picture: Sarah Reed

“The score review is there to make sure this does not happen — and it continues to fail. Someone should be accountable for that.”

Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak told The Advertiser the score review of Jenkins’ goal is more frustrating after Jenkins’ admissions of the ball hitting the post.

“It did not cost us the game,” Boak said. “It is frustrating when score review was brought in to stop such errors, but what can you do?”

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