Old Melburnians concede costly goal amid runner controversy

A controversial call involving a runner late in a VAFA game between two heavyweight clubs has caused shock among viewers. The person in the middle of the furore has spoken.

A crucial VAFA match between Old Melburnians and University Blues has been caught up in controversy after a Blues runner was allowed within metres of a ball which put his side up by eight-points late in the game.

The quick snap shot at goal from Blues ruckman Ayce Cordy had their runner caught in a disruptive position as the ball almost hit him in the head as he ran past the goal line.

Old Melburnian defender Daniel Coffield could be seen trying to get to the ball although the Blues runner was presumably caught in his way.

Old Melburnians coach Paul Satterley said Coffield was frustrated after the game.

“He was just distraught, so frustrated that he was unable to impact on that ball because there was a guy with a pink top on in front of him,” Satterley said.

“He was just really disappointed that a decision went against him in that instance.

“Daniel’s running back into goals and you can see he just runs straight into the runner and impedes his ability to impact on the ball.

“I think everyone assumed that it was just a free kick and it’s game on and we’re probably a little bit stunned by that decision but like I said players make a 1000 mistakes on the field as well and we are all guilty of it so it’s just unfortunate.”

Daniel Coffield played at VFL level prior to joining Old Melburnians. Picture: Mark Stewart

A spectator who witnessed the play said the Old Melburnian players were appealing for a free kick against the Blues runner after the ball went through for a goal.

“All the Old Melburnian players were complaining and all the umpires got together, the goal umpire and the field umpire, and they still called it a goal,” the spectator said.

“It cost Old Melburnians the game.

“All the umps got together for a minute or two trying to deliberate what the decision was going to be and they called it a goal which was bizarre because the runner literally shepherded the goal.”

University Blues coach Guy Martyn said their runner was instructed to check on Blues key defender Ben Capra who was at the stoppage playing as a forward at the time.

“He (runner) was hugging the boundary but also trying to get back to us as soon as possible to report on Capra’s eye,” he said.

“He had his back to the play the entire time so he couldn’t see what was going on behind him.”

Martyn said their runner was tending to Capra who had to get stitches after the game which was why he was close to the play.

“He was tending to Ben Capra who had to get stitches after the game,” he said.

Uni Blues key defender Ben Capra had to get stitches after the game. (supplied)

Martyn said the umpire’s decision was wrong.

“Obviously it should’ve been a free kick to OM’s though.”

Following the umpires decision that led to a Uni Blues eight-point lead, Tom Baker scored a goal for Old Melburnians with a minute left, cutting the margin back to three points.

No further score was recorded as the siren went with the University Blues coming away winners in the match, 10.5 (65) to 10.8 (68).

The win for the Blues puts them one win away from escaping a bottom two relegation spot, while the loss for Old Melburnians puts them equal in second position with Old Brighton.

It also has Old Melburnians just one win ahead of fifth placed Collegians, keeping the spots for a top two double chance finish and top four finals spot well and truly open.

If the controversial free kick was paid against the Blues runner, it could have resulted in a win for Old Melburnians which would have put them one game clear of third position on the ladder in second.

The Uni Blues runner believed to be Justin Quill said in a tweet that he was “sorry”, although he also said that he was “confident” that he didn’t impact the play.

“It looks a lot worse on the video because of the angle,” Quill said in a tweet.

“I am confident that it did not impact him getting to the ball but it was not good from me.

“I didn‘t expect the quick kick and got caught way too close.

“I have to own that and am sorry for it.”

Quill also responded to claims that he was cheating.

“I mainly responded because one of the other responses said “cheating”,” he said.

“It absolutely wasn‘t. It was an error for getting too close. For which I’m sorry.”

How on earth was this goal allowed.Expected adjudication from this particular VAFA umpire. pic.twitter.com/IGozsvk4rm

— Nick Jamieson (@Njjamieson) July 24, 2022

Old Melburnians coach Satterley said his side had already moved on from the situation and understood that mistakes happen.

“We’ve moved on already, you can’t change the result,” he said.

“Who‘s to say we still wouldn’t have lost regardless of that decision so it’s naive to just blame it on that instance.

“There were so many instances where we could have been better in the game.”

One of the improvements Satterley mentioned was the number of goals his side gifted the opposition.

Satterley also credited the strong performance of the Blues.

“In fairness to Uni Blues also, the decision went against us but they were still really good on the day in terms of how they played,” he said.

“It’s just unfortunate that everyone at the ground saw what unfolded but somehow a decision wasn’t reached where potentially a free kick was paid.

“It’s just unfortunate that a really high standard of footy comes down to those decisions and puts a lot of pressure on umpires.”

VAFA were contacted for comment.