AFL fines Ollie Henry over Zac Williams diving incident

Zac Williams was widely accused of staging for a free kick on Saturday, so a Match Review ruling has come as a major surprise.

Geelong forward Oliver Henry has been fined by the AFL Match Review over an incident in Saturday’s clash with Carlton that was widely considered staging.

Blues defender Zac Williams went down theatrically after what appeared minimal contact from Henry late in the third quarter of Geelong’s 13-point win in an incident you can watch in the video player above.

Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

“He played for the free kick and lost,” Kangaroos great David King said in commentary at the time.

In the build-up to the moment, with the Blues trailing by just four points, Geelong’s Tyson Stengle took a mark and wheeled around before sending a short kick to Gryan Miers at the top of the centre square.

Right as the ball was on its way to Miers, Henry was heading towards the forward 50m arc when Williams changed direction and attempted to meet the Geelong forward.

Ollie Henry's incident with Zac Williams. Photos: Fox Sports

Henry stuck his left arm out towards Williams, but most watching on felt the Carlton defender made the most of the contact.

It was ignored by the umpires, but the Match Review Officer has deemed the incident intentional conduct, low impact and body conduct, fining the key forward $6,520.

It can be reduced to $3,750 with an early plea.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, with Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall offering the following assessment on Fox Footy as he saw a replay of the incident.

“He goes down a bit easily for mine,” Dunstall said of Williams. “I don’t mean to be brutal about it, but he changed direction into him.

“There was a little brush over the shoulder, but he did go down very easily.”

Jeremy Cameron (left) and Henry were key to the Cats’ win. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

There was a mixed reaction from fans watching on, although many used a similar theme when taking to X, formerly Twitter.

“Give him his well deserved Oscar,” was one comment.

“Embarrassing and cost his team a goal by staging,” wrote another.

“3 weeks for simulation. Make an example out of this wimp,” suggested another.

“Is Christopher Nolan at the ‘G today? Who’s Zac Williams trying to impress?” asked another.

There were some, however, who felt the contact did merit a free kick to the defender.

“Played for the free kick getting clotheslined?!?” one wrote.

“It’s a free kick every day of the week. Four umpires couldn’t see that?” asked another.

The Cats held an 11-point lead at the final change as they attempted to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Harry McKay (right) has also been fined by the Match Review Panel. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

When Geelong kicked the first four goals of the final term the match looked over, before the Blues made it interesting by kicking the next four in succession to close to within eight points.

Jeremy Cameron then kicked his fifth for the day to seal the win as the Blues slipped to 5-2 for the year and out of contention for a top-four spot at the end of round seven.

Henry added three goals, while Williams had a quiet game, finishing with 17 disposals, three marks and two tackles.

Carlton spearhead Harry McKay has also been fined a total of $5,000 for twice making contact with an umpire in the fourth quarter of the match, which can be reduced to $3,125 with an early plea.

And Bulldog Rhylee West has been hit with a one-match ban for rough conduct on Fremantle’s Brandon Walker in the second quarter of their clash in Perth.

Originally published as AFL fines Ollie Henry over Zac Williams diving incident