How controversial free kick, 50 metre penalty unfolded in Geelong’s after-the-siren VFL win over North Melbourne

A free kick and 50 metre penalty handed Geelong victory against North Melbourne after the siren. The player at the centre of both decisions sheds light on the contentious finish. Watch the video here.

Geelong VFL celebrate after its after-siren win over North Melbourne. Picture: AFL website

It was the most dramatic finish of the weekend until Nasiah Wanganeen Milera’s heroics at Marvel Stadium.

North Melbourne had come back from 41-points down early in the third to take the lead by four points in the dying moments of its VFL clash with Geelong on Sunday, but the Cats managed to steal victory from the jaws of defeat after a controversial free kick and 50 metre penalty.

The Cats forced a throw in deep inside their attacking 50 and as small forward Tobyn Murray chased the ball towards the boundary line, he was shoved to the ground by Kangaroos player Alex Noblett and awarded a free kick for in the back.

How's this for a finish in the VFL.

A few seconds to go, North Melbourne leads Geelong by four points, play deep in the Cats' forward pocket.

Ball bouncing harmlessly out of bounds, and then...

Free kick for a push, 50 for dissent, Geelong goal after the siren to win.

🫣 pic.twitter.com/JrFmz2EKtI

— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) July 27, 2025

Tobyn Murray is pushed in the back and earns a free kick. Picture: AFL website

Tobyn Murray after being pushed by the North Melbourne player. Picture: AFL website

“Our runner yelled out there was 20 seconds left to go in the game so I tried to get dangerous and we needed to kick a goal,” Murray recalled.

“It was rolling towards the boundary and I went after it, I knew there was a defender right on my back so I was going to try to jump up and grab it, and keep it inside the boundary.

“He gave me a little shove and (I) fell forward and got the free kick. And I got up thinking I was going to have to snap it after the siren from the boundary.”

Before Murray had got up off his haunches the umpire blew his whistle again and marched him to the goal line after a contentious 50 metre penalty for dissent that decided the result.

North Melbourne players are stunned after the free kick is paid. Picture: AFL website

Tobyn Murray kicks the goal to put Geelong in front. Picture: AFL website

“Luckily enough one of the opposition players mouthed off to the umpire and gave away a 50 and I suppose the rest was history,” Murray said.

“It was probably a little bit stiff to get given 50, but I suppose we’re not allowed to mouth off at the umpires at all, so probably a fair call in the end.”

It is unclear whether there was a profanity used but it is understood the Roos player’s comment strongly criticised the initial free kick call.

Murray, who was on the mid-season draft radar last year, was cool as a cucumber as he put the Cats in front by two points just after the siren sounded with the most basic of set shots.

Geelong defender Jed Bews has only kicked 16 goals across his 174 AFL games, but he came over to give Murray some words of advice before the matchwinning kick.

Tobyn Murray wins it on the siren for Geelong!!!

🎥: Watch the Smithy’s VFL live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App: https://t.co/3V9lTkSGTMpic.twitter.com/yKPQz5H4XB

— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) July 27, 2025

“Heading back to the centre to kick the goal and Jed Bews came over and said, ‘Just take all full 30 (seconds) and walk back as far as you can go’,” Murray said.

“To be completely honest with you, when the umpire called 50, I sort of lost all the nerves and had full confidence and thought, ‘Yep, this is going in, we’re going to win’. So I was pretty relaxed actually.

“The boys got round me, and it was just good to have a win with a close game, because (North Melbourne) had the full momentum in the quarter. In a way, it kind of felt like we lost the game, but it’s good to walk away with the win.”

Tobyn Murray in action for Geelong VFL this year. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

Geelong’s last-gasp triumph keeps them in touch with the top-10, two wins behind 10th-placed Williamstown in 13th, while North Melbourne (12th) is two points ahead of the Cats on the VFL ladder.

Fringe Geelong midfielders Jhye Clark, George Stevens and Ted Clohesy continued their strong VFL campaigns in the win.

Clark slotted two goals to go with 25 disposals, 11 contested possessions and seven tackles and Stevens gathered 20 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 12 clearances and six tackles, and Clohesy had 28 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Ruckman Toby Conway produced an impressive second game back from injury with 24 hit-outs, 18 disposals, 12 contested possessions, eight clearances and three intercept marks as Jay Polkinghorne (three goals), Ollie Henry (15 disposals, eight score involvements and two goals), Oli Wiltshire (14 disposals and two goals) all hit the scoreboard.

Cats fans also got a glimpse of the future with Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect and Jesse Mellor kicking a classy set shot goal from the boundary in his VFL debut.

The 185 centimetre goalkicker was named in the U18 All-Australian team this week after an eye-catching carnival for Vic Country where he kicked eight goals.

Jesse Mellor, that is an incredible goal on debut! 👏 #WeAreGeelongpic.twitter.com/2ScIwg8V0j

— Geelong VFL (@GeelongVFL) July 27, 2025

Jesse Mellor in action for Vic Country in a trial game. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

“It was exciting for him to come in and obviously got presented with the All Australian guernsey, so it was good for him to get some exposure to some senior footy,” Murray said.

“Then obviously kicking that goal from the boundary – pretty good goal.

“He would have enjoyed playing a bit of AFL footy and hopefully next year be on a list and play some more.”

The Geelong league rookie of the year in 2024 with Colac, Murray is still striving to reach the AFL ranks himself.

He has improved considerably this season, highlighted by a five-goal haul in their win over GWS a fortnight ago.

“The dream hasn’t died off one bit. I’m just going to continue to work hard and play good consistent footy and hopefully if I get on the end of a list, that would be the ideal goal and dream,” Murray said.

“But I’m still chipping away and working hard and keeping the dream alive.”

Originally published as How controversial free kick, 50 metre penalty unfolded in Geelong’s after-the-siren VFL win over North Melbourne