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‘It’s a disgrace’: AFL has been plunged into crisis

The AFL has gone into meltdown over a crackdown failure that has left footy legends Garry Lyon and Dane Swan screaming for change.

2 min read
April 18, 2022 - 6:46PM
Tom Hawkins launched into the atmosphere. Photo: Kayo.
Tom Hawkins launched into the atmosphere. Photo: Kayo.

The AFL is in crisis over the controversial umpire dissent rule that has fallen apart in recent weeks.

Collingwood great Dane Swan on Monday night told the league to “f*** it off” after watching the moment Hawthorn stars Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston gave up a 50m free kick for gesturing with their arms.

The costly decision gifted Geelong a goal early in the third quarter as they roared back to take the lead in the rollercoaster battle at the MCG.

Hawthorn eventually held on for a famous victory, but the footy world has been left focused on the umpire rule change.

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The controversial free kick came on the back of an even more controversial free kick in which Cats power forward Tom Hawkins appeared to launch himself in the air on the back of minimal contact from a defender.

Hawkins was awarded a free kick for blocking in a two-on-one scenario.

Tom Hawkins launched into the atmosphere. Photo: Kayo.
Tom Hawkins launched into the atmosphere. Photo: Kayo.

The 50m free kick was awarded more than 50m away where Gunston and Mitchell were talking to an umpire behind the ball.

“You both looked at the screen (for the replay),” the umpire said. “And then you had your arms out. It’s umpire respect, OK?”.

Hawks champion Luke Hodge said players no longer know where they stand with the rule being applied inconsistently.

It comes after Lions defender Harris Andrews was pinged a fifty for putting his arms out while Carlton was not penalised when a player clearly barked back at an umpire when a free kick was awarded to Port Adelaide.

“I love the umpire respect piece but we have to be very careful that we are not going too far,” Hodge said on Channel 7.

Jack Gunston and Tom Mitchell use their arms near the umpire. Photo: Kayo.
Jack Gunston and Tom Mitchell use their arms near the umpire. Photo: Kayo.
Tom Mitchell speaks with AFL Field Umpire, Hayden Gavine. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
Tom Mitchell speaks with AFL Field Umpire, Hayden Gavine. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“The AFL has created this themselves. The first pre-season game, they gave the free kick for the centre run through and said that we need to be tightening up and we cannot say anything to the umpires. And now they have relaxed them over the last few weeks and players do not know what they’re doing.”

The reaction from commentators around the game was much more severe.

“The absolute worst rule these eyes have ever seen. F*** it off now please AFL,” Magpies great Swan said.

Demons legend Garry Lyon told Fox Footy after the game: “What we’ve seen this weekend suggests there’s a crisis that (AFL football operations boss) Brad Scott has to sort out tomorrow morning.

“It’s a disgrace what we’ve seen this weekend.”

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas called it “disgraceful”.

“Firstly, a wrong (free kick) as Hawk fakes massively,” he tweeted.

“Then Gunston and Mitchell standing in middle of ground talking to ump, see replay on screen and put their arms up ... 50m (penalty).

“I thought arms up lately was now acceptable?? Pick & choose. This will end in tears in a very big game.”

The reaction surrounding Hawkins’ free kick was also heated.

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph said Hawkins will likely be cited by the AFL Match Review Officer for staging.

Originally published as ‘It’s a disgrace’: AFL has been plunged into crisis

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/afl/its-a-disgrace-afl-has-been-plunged-into-crisis/news-story/317af9837e9e756f944ea6106fba8b86