EFL 2019: Mitcham wins Division 2 flag in controversial after-the-siren finish
A veteran AFL goal umpire has backed the call of the official who decided an after-the-siren Eastern Football League grand final thriller. WATCH THE VIDEO
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
This was the controversial moment a local football premiership was decided by inches.
Mitcham had come from 39 points down at quarter-time to lead by two points as Ringwood’s James Parker lined up for an after-the-siren shot from 40m out.
In a pulsating finish at East Burwood Reserve, Ringwood supporters were certain Parker’s kick was goal bound before realising it was destined to land close to the line.
Players from both teams rose in a pack and it took several seconds before officials ruled Mitcham had won the decider after both teams celebrated.
.@MitchamFC win the @footyefl Division 2 grand final by inches! The Tigers trailed by 39 points at quarter-time and survived a kick after the siren. pic.twitter.com/WhOc3XJ3Bo
— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) September 15, 2019
The decisive call has split social media users but won praise from veteran AFL goal umpire Chris Appleton.
Appleton, who last year umpired his 250th AFL match, said the call was a “brilliant piece of umpiring”.
“Immense pressure, plenty of traffic to get to position and in the absence of a camera along the line it appears to be a great decision to me,” he wrote on Twitter.
Brilliant piece of umpiring. Immense pressure, plenty of traffic to get to position and in the absence of a camera along the line it ‘appears’ to be a great decision to me. Well done!! pic.twitter.com/sydBn32l8X
— Chris Appleton (@Apples_27) September 15, 2019
Leader has attempted to contact the umpire.
Mitcham coach Neil Winterton was the on the mark and conceded he thought the premiership had slipped through his side’s grasp.
“From where I was standing, it was gun barrel straight and looked like it was going through but then it obviously didn’t make it,” Winterton said.
“To go from despair to joy within a matter of seconds, it was certainly going through as far as accuracy goes.
“Those couple of seconds when the ball was in the air seemed to go forever but it obviously fell our way.”
Umpire was in the prime position. Surely he got the correct call...
— Tim (@zarby12) September 16, 2019
Umpire in perfect position - camera isn’t. I can’t tell, but Whole ball has to be over the line. Backing the umpire.
— chrisb (@bartman6) September 16, 2019
Umpire in perfect position - camera isn’t. I can’t tell, but Whole ball has to be over the line. Backing the umpire.
— chrisb (@bartman6) September 16, 2019
Video footage suggests goal. Your thoughts?
— Stephanie Chiocci (@Steph_Chiocci) September 15, 2019
Ringwood coach Brett Rowe celebrated from the coaches box believing the ball had crossed the line.
MORE EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS:
BLACKBURN BOOKS GRAND FINAL BERTH
DONCASTER EAST WINS DIVISION 1 PREMIERSHIP
BRYCE MCGAIN AND WAVERLEY BLUES PART WAYS
HAWKS FACING TWO-YEAR BEFORE NEXT SHOT AT PROMOTION
“It’s hard from where we stand obviously to see if it was all the way,” Rowe said.
“To me, it looked like it had carried going by the ball’s flight. It looked like it was over.
“To me, the way our bloke celebrated, I think (they) would have a fair idea whether it’s in or not.
“I went by their reaction thinking, ‘yeah, it was done, it was over’ but I didn’t make the decision so (it) stayed as it was.”
It was a grand final that will be recorded in the league’s history as one of the great games.
Mitcham had to come from third on the ladder to claim the flag and win three consecutive finals.
It also trailed by 35 points in the first final against Heathmont and conceded the first six goals in the decider but recovered to score a 12.12 (84) to 12.10 (82) win.
The Tigers had to defend against a strong wind in the opening quarter but by halftime had shaved the deficit to one point.
Matthew Gordon gave Mitcham an eight-point lead at the 25-minute mark of the final term, before Mitch Brereton snapped a goal in the final 30 seconds to give Ringwood one final look at victory.
The Redbacks cleared the ball from the middle and Parker took a mark 40m from goal.
His shot was on target but the goal umpire determined it did not make the distance.
Mitcham tall Will Gordon was awarded the Les Leete/Blue Ribbon Medal for an outstanding display in the ruck.
“I’m still in a bit of shock to be honest,” Winterton said.
“It was obviously back and forth and we got a bit of lead in the last quarter and they fought back.
“To have a shot after the siren fall so close and I guess everyone’s (not) 100 per cent sure what happened but obviously really happy to get the win.”
WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO
— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.
— Unprecedented AFL coverage.
— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.
— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.
— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.