Footy raging over ‘embarrassing’ stitch-up

Football legends have hit out at an “extraordinary” start to Friday night’s blockbuster after “enraging” umpire decisions.

Harry Himmelberg was awarded the free kick. Photo: Kayo.

Footy legends Dane Swan and Matthew Richardson have it out at “embarrassing” umpire decisions that overshadowed the start of Friday night’s blockbuster.

The Giants had their best first quarter of the entire season, but it came on the back of two umpire decisions that have sparked outrage.

In two separate incidents, Tigers captain Jack Riewoldt was denied a goal as a result of an off-the-ball free kick paid against Tom Lynch and it was followed just minutes later by another off-the-ball free kick paid against Tigers defender Dylan Grimes.

Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor said Riewoldt would have been “filthy” after his tough set-shot on goal was disallowed as a result of contact Lynch made on a GWS defender as they were jostling for position near the goalposts.

Replays showed Lynch had swung his opponent from the top of his jumper, but the incidental contact was not enough for a free kick to be paid, in the eyes of Swan, Richardson, Taylor and Luke Darcy.

“That’s extraordinary,” Darcy said.

Dylan Grimes made contact with Harry Himmelberg. Photo: Kayo.

Just minutes later Giants forward Harry Himmelberg was gifted a goal when Grimes was penalised for striking his opponent just seconds before the ball was bounced.

The free-kick allowed Himmelberg to kick a goal from 20m right in front.

Replays showed Grimes had made minimal contact to the back of his opponent.

The umpire decisions were lashed on social media.

AFL 360 host Gerrard Whateley said on SEN Radio Tigers fans would be “enraged” by the start of the game.

Richardson posted on Twitter: “Wow, outrageous decisions”.

The Tigers were done by 8.30pm.

Swan wrote: “That free kick is also embarrassing. What’s happened to this game”.

Swans great Jude Bolton also posted: “Geez we are seeing some soft free kicks paid”.

The Giants rode their early luck to lead 7.3 (45) to 2.2 (14) at quarter-time.

It got even uglier for the Tigers in the second quarter as the Giants opened up a nine goal lead — and the reigning premiers didn’t have the umpires to blame after quarter-time.

Originally published as Footy raging over ‘embarrassing’ stitch-up