NewsBite

Fans blow up over soft free kick awarded to Richmond in second quarter

AFL fans were left seeing red after a seemingly innocuous bump, that happens every game, resulted in one team being handed a goal.

James McKernJames McKern
@jLmcKern
less than 2 min read
July 29, 2020 - 9:38PM
A super soft free kick handed Richmond a goal
A super soft free kick handed Richmond a goal

The AFL 20-day extravaganza is underway, but the Western Bulldogs haven’t adjusted to playing on a Wednesday night.

Despite heading into the contest against Richmond as the favourites, the Bulldogs were swept off the park in the opening half.

Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Watch every match of every round Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

It was in the second quarter when the ugliness reached new heights for the Bulldogs as the Tigers royally cashed in.

As the Bulldogs attempted to exit their defensive 50, a down the field bump from Ed Richards on Richmond’s Dylan Grimes saw a free kick awarded at the location of the ball.

It meant Richmond’s Jake Aarts was gifted a shot on goal which he comfortably converted to extend the lead out to 34 points.

As a replay of the free kick began to roll, Richmond legend Matthew Richardson couldn’t believe the decision the umpires had made.

“Fair dinkum it’s a contact sport you’re allowed to run into each other a little bit on the ground,” Richardson said.

“Wow that is a big, big penalty for the Dogs,” Luke Darcy added.

You can watch the soft free kick in the video player above

Fans watching on were left incensed by the call to award Richmond the free kick from a minor bump that many believed Grimes had accentuated.

Originally published as Fans blow up over soft free kick awarded to Richmond in second quarter

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/fans-blow-up-over-soft-free-kick-awarded-to-richmond-in-second-quarter/news-story/8536a9ccb7bd9ceed119df6877686a68