AFL 2024: The AFL has admitted the non-call that cost the Crows should ‘technically’ been a free kick

If Crows fans weren’t upset enough by the non-goal that cost them finals in 2023, the non-call that cost them Friday nights' match against Essendon had them screaming. Now the AFL has clarified the call.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 19: Players react on the siren with Essendon celebrating and Crows player slump after the loss during the 2024 AFL Round 06 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Essendon Bombers at Adelaide Oval on April 19, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AFL concedes Adelaide should “technically” have been awarded a holding-the-ball free kick on the siren on Friday night.

But the league defended the umpires’ controversial non-call, saying not penalising Essendon ruckman Sam Draper was the correct approach given the officials were uncertain where the footy was and who had control of it amid the congestion.

The siren sounded just moments after the non-call that cost the Crows a shot at goal. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The siren sounded immediately after the decision to award a ball-up inside the Crows’ attacking 50, denying them a shot at goal, as the Bombers prevailed by three points.

Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker would have had the chance to win the game from 35m on a slight angle if the free kick had been paid.

An AFL spokesman said that at the time at ground level the umpires believed Draper dived on the ball then it came out to his left and was knocked back under him by Walker.

“In review, and with the assistance of the broadcast angle and behind the goals Hawkeye vision providing a clearer look, you can see that the ball moves from under Draper’s chest to under his armpit/shoulder, which means the ball is still in his possession, and he has not immediately knocked it clear, therefore, it technically should have been a holding the ball free kick,” the spokesman said.

“It’s a very challenging one for the umpires in this situation, with the ball on the ground, to see exactly where the ball is, under a large number of players and who has control of it.

“On ground level they were not certain of all these factors, so they didn’t pay it, which is the correct approach at the time.”

Six-time AFL grand final umpire Darren Goldspink said it was “pretty clear cut” that the officials made the wrong decision.

While Crows coach Matthew Nicks would not weigh into the debate post-game, captain Jordan Dawson said he assumed if a player dived on the footy it should be a free kick.

“So I’m not sure about that last couple of seconds,” Dawson said on Triple M on Saturday.

“I’ll be interested to see the ruling on that.

“You create your own luck a bit and we would definitely have got away with one if we’d kicked a goal at the end there.”

Over the past 12 months, Adelaide has been on the receiving end of three umpiring decisions the league has conceded should have gone its way in the dying seconds of a close game.

Dawson was not paid a high contact free kick inside 50 just before the siren against Collingwood in round 15 last season, in what was ultimately a two-point defeat.

Then in round 23, the AFL conceded a goal umpire incorrectly deemed a Ben Keays shot with a minute left hit the post and Sydney went on to prevail by one point, ending the Crows’ finals chances.

Friday night’s loss left Adelaide with a 1-5 win-loss record to start the season.

Emerging Crows star Jake Soligo said he was near the ball when Draper fell on it “but you can’t decide games on umpires’ calls”.

“It comes down to the first half and we didn’t execute,” Soligo told this masthead.

Adelaide football boss Adam Kelly followed a similar tone on ABC Grandstand.

“There are so many things we didn’t get right last night,” Kelly said.

“Errors will occur every week with umpiring.

“We have a lot more to reflect on than that decision.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: The AFL has admitted the non-call that cost the Crows should ‘technically’ been a free kick