‘Can’t allow that’: Sneaky AFL star gets away with murder

The Eagles tried everything to beat GWS — including Jamie Cripps’ blatantly illegal tactic — but it wasn’t enough to topple the Giants.

West Coast star Jamie Cripps got away with murder but that didn’t help his side at all on Sunday afternoon.

GWS beat the Eagles 13.15 (93) to 11.11 (77) in Sydney as the umpires came under scrutiny for letting Cripps’ blatant rule breach slide.

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The Eagles midfielder illegally shovelled a ball out to a teammate in the first quarter, throwing it rugby league-style rather than with the necessary handball as he tried to get rid of the Sherrin under pressure.

Cripps didn’t even try to hide his sneaky offload but the umpires missed it and play-on was called.

Brisbane legend Alastair Lynch told Fox Footy at quarter-time only nine free kicks for throws had been paid in the past two rounds, questioning whether umpires were letting more and more illegal disposals go to keep the game flowing.

Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall was not impressed.

“The ball’s not meant to be in motion via a rugby league pass, with all due respect,” he told Fox Footy. “That’s exactly what that was.

“You can say it’s quick hands but it’s clearly a throw.

“We love the flow of the game and I think the game’s moving beautifully in 2021 but we cannot allow those sorts of things to happen.”

He didn't even try to handball.

One throw coming up.

In the absence of superstar forward Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Harry Perryman and with in-game injuries to key defenders Jack Buckley and Sam Taylor the Giants demonstrated serious courage to hold out a powerful Eagles forward line for a win that takes them back into the top eight.

While the Eagles are still missing star midfielders Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo — who coach Adam Simpson said is a chance to return next week against Essendon — the defeat again raises questions about their performances on the road as they were overpowered in the clearances by the Giants midfield.

The loss also put a dampner on a major milestone for the club with Shannon Hurn breaking the Eagles games record on 291, surpassing Dean Cox.

With Daniel Garb, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as ‘Can’t allow that’: Sneaky AFL star gets away with murder