‘Just a disgrace’: AFL greats up in arms over controversial umpiring

Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw has melted hearts by donning a tribute to his older brother for Sunday’s blockbuster contest.

Another weekend, another questionable umpiring decision.

This time it was a 50m penalty paid against Fremantle’s Karl Worner for umpire dissent in the second quarter.

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Worner pounced on Collingwood’s Lachie Schulz but was deemed to have jumped into his back.

As replays of the tackle rolled on the big screen, Worner couldn’t believe what he was seeing and threw his right hand up in disbelief.

The act didn’t go over well with the umpire standing nearby who blew his whistle and marched Schultz to the goal line.

The decision to penalise the Fremantle defender did not go down well with several greats of the game who unleashed in commentary.

Watch the questionable moment in the video player above

“It used to be dissent – it obviously is again,” Dwayne Russell said on Fox Footy’s coverage.

“It depends on what umpire it is – it really does,” Jordan Lewis added.

“They haven’t been so hot on it this year at all,” Matt Hill added.

Karl Worner gestures after giving away a free kick. Credit: Channel 7

The moment of controversy fired up AFL great Garry Lyon.

“We’ll have a listen… because if it is (a free kick for the scoreboard point), it’s a disgrace,” he said.

“Unless they’ve come out and told these players beforehand if you start pointing at scoreboards or saying look at the scoreboards we’re going to pay 50 – it hasn’t happened for 12 months!

“Every player points at the scoreboard, I’ve seen that happen 10 times this year if that’s what happened.

“Don’t just let it drop off and then pick one out after a year in a massive game at the MCG.

“It’s just a disgrace.”

Worner looks on as the replays roll.

The outrage was matched on Channel 7 with former St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt blowing up at the umpire.

“Oh my gosh,” Riewoldt said.

Brian Taylor added: “He really didn’t actually point at the scoreboard.”

Riewoldt said: “It wasn’t demonstrative. That’s just ridiculous, selective umpiring.”

Former West Coast Eagles player Will Schofield echoed the sentiment being shared as he led a chorus of online backlash.

“Embarrassing for that umpire. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Just a disgrace,” he wrote on X.

Freo star’s touching tribute to brother

Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw made it a family affair on Sunday at the MCG as he ran out onto the MCG wearing his older brother’s helmet.

Angus was forced to medically retire from the game ahead of the 2024 season due to multiple head injuries.

The premiership winning Melbourne star wore a helmet throughout the final years of his career, but was forced to hang up the boots after his latest concussion against Collingwood in the 2023 qualifying final.

On Sunday it was Andrew’s turn to don the headwear with the Dockers star needing the helmet to protect the 10 stitches he had in his head after last weekend’s clash against Hawthorn.

The post-game scenes quickly went viral with Andrew chatting with Fox’s Kath Loughnan despite blood pouring down the side of his face.

“I’ll be wearing my brother’s old helmet today so I’ll be right to go,” Andrew said on Channel 7’s coverage on Sunday.

The ABC’s Ben Cameron noted the helmet was a variation on the one Angus used to wear and was obviously not in the same red and blue colourway.

Originally published as ‘Just a disgrace’: AFL greats up in arms over controversial umpiring