Luke Hodge, Nathan Buckley declare Adelaide robbed of last-second freekick in loss to Essendon

Two AFL greats say Adelaide was robbed of a last-second freekick during a controversial finish to the Crows’ three-point loss to Essendon on Friday. HAVE YOUR SAY

Sam Draper falls on the ball

Premiership great Luke Hodge has criticised the non-decision that cost Adelaide a shot at goal and potential season-salvaging victory against Essendon on Friday night.

The Crows were controversially denied a chance to snatch the game when Bombers ruckman Sam Draper appeared to lie on the ball with seconds remaining.

Draper was tackled by Taylor Walker, but was given the benefit of the doubt by the umpires and the final siren blew seconds later.

Vision showed Draper making light of the incident post-match with teammates and Bombers skipper Zach Merrett conceded he was “holding his breath” in the dying stages.

“We obviously learned the hard way last year against Port Adelaide, kicking it out and (Dan) Houston kicking an amazing goal,” Merrett told Fox Footy.

“We certainly spend a lot of time and work and energy on those moments and to execute it for the most part was very pleasing. But, no doubt it was a line ball call.”

Essendon coach Brad Scott added post-match: “I haven’t looked at a replay. Masses of numbers around the ball. There were a lot of decisions holding the ball for and against throughout the night. We’ll obviously focus on the one in the last couple of seconds, but I can show you a couple of others too, if you’d like.”

Crows counterpart Matthew Nicks did not want to weigh in on the non-call.

“I’m not going to make a comment about umpiring, that’ll just add to the night,” Nicks said.

Sam Draper falls on the ball in the final seconds.

But Hodge was in little doubt a free kick should have been awarded, telling Channel 7:

“It’s a free kick any way you look at that. The fact that he laid on it, Tex jumped on it. It was the situation of the game.

“The reason why the AFL brought in four umpires was so they could see any angle and pay free kicks. If that was the five-minute mark of the first quarter or the second quarter, all four of those umpires would have jumped in to pay that.

“They didn’t pay it because of the time. They didn’t pay it because they didn’t want to make an error. They made the wrong decision. That should have been a free kick and Tex Walker should have been having a shot on goal.”

He later added: “That umpire has cost Adelaide its season.”

Colleague Matthew Richardson said: “We have been told forever that you can’t lay on it and drag it back in and his arm did drag it back under.”

WHAT A FINISH.

Adelaide appeal for holding the ball, they don't get the call, and Essendon win by three points 😮#AFLCrowsDonspic.twitter.com/jfboUacY7p

— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 19, 2024

Draper said on Channel 7: “I think I got pushed. My legs gave way. I don’t know.”

“What else can I do? Well, it makes up for the one at half-time they gave the Crows.”

Nathan Buckley also said a free kick should have been awarded.

“In any part on the field at any time of the game, that is holding the ball,” Buckley told Fox Footy.

“Actually there was a little tap in and then he just laid on it.”

Originally published as Luke Hodge, Nathan Buckley declare Adelaide robbed of last-second freekick in loss to Essendon