Callan Ward says outrage at umpire over free kick was wrong

Callan Ward kickstarted a controversy surrounding a holding the ball decision, but is now convinced the umpire’s call was correct.

The Giants have accepted a crucial holding the ball free kick against Callan Ward on Sunday was correct.

In a game that included a number of controversial decisions, controversy erupted when Ward was bumped late in the game by St Kilda’s Dan Butler while attempting to kick the ball forward.

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The ball spilt loose before hitting his boot and field umpire Eleni Glouftsis blew her whistle.

Ward was heard saying “a bump is not a tackle” but Glouftsis was quick to respond: “You didn’t kick it. If you’ve had prior (opportunity), you must successfully dispose of the ball.”

The AFL rule book states: “Where a player in possession of the football has had prior opportunity, a free kick shall be awarded if that player does not correctly dispose of the football immediately when they are legally tackled.”

But some still questioned whether Butler’s bump was a legal tackle.

What was the free kick against Ward for? Holding the ball or incorrect disposal? Fair enough if the latter, if former, no, he wasn't tackled. #AFLGiantsSaints

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) March 21, 2021

So you can bump people and get them holding the ball? Goodness me that's outrageous. #AFLGiantsSaints

— Jack Hudson (@jhudson_10) March 21, 2021

The veteran midfielder later said he was happy with the explanation in an interview posted to the Giants’ Twitter page.

“I was the culprit. It’s holding the ball,” Ward said. “Eleni, the umpire, explained it pretty well. She said if you try and dispose of the ball after you’ve had a chance to get rid of it, it’s holding the ball if you don’t dispose of it correctly.

“I tried to kick it and the ball didn’t hit my foot.

“I thought if you were at least attempting to kick the ball (it was play on) but that’s only if you haven’t had a chance to get rid of it. She explained it really well, it was a free kick and the sealer for them (St Kilda) unfortunately for me and the team.”

Callan Ward says he was wrong to challenge Eleni Glouftsis.

GWS coach Leon Cameron was also fine with the decision. “The rule is if you take them on and you get bumped and you don’t get any purchase on the ball then it’s holding the ball,” Cameron said. “So, if that’s the case then it’s holding the ball.”

Despite trailing for most of the final term, St Kilda held their nerve to secure a 13.8 (86) to 11.12 (78) victory in wet conditions.

The gap was only two points with 60 seconds left on the clock, but a late goal from Butler sealed the win.

Originally published as Callan Ward says outrage at umpire over free kick was wrong