VAFA explains end to Under-19 Division 2 grand final

The VAFA has backed in one of its umpires, described as having “balls of steel”, for paying a free kick and 50m penalty after the siren in a tight grand final. See the vision here.

Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) officials have backed in an umpire’s call to award a free kick and 50m penalty in the dying seconds of an under-19s grand final at the weekend.

The under-19 division 2 game between Old Camberwell and University Blues made headlines after footage of the finish appeared online.

As the final siren sounded, Old Camberwell players could be seen running onto the ground but just prior to the siren, “the controlling umpire paid a free kick for a trip to the University Blues player”.

A 50m penalty was then paid against Camberwell players entering the protected area, taking the Blues youngster to the goalsquare to become the premiership hero.

AFL rules state if an umpire believes a free kick should be paid before the siren but hasn’t had time to pay it before the horn sounds, then the official must “signal that play has come to an end then award the free kick”.

“At least two field umpires signal to the Old Camberwell bench players to remove themselves from the area, but their instructions are not registered by the players,” the VAFA said in a statement.

“The Old Camberwell bench players run into the protected area of the University player taking the free kick.

“The VAFA are fully satisfied that the umpire correctly adjudicated the situation in accordance with the appropriate AFL Laws of the Game.”

Shared across various social media channels, former Carlton and Gold Coast big man Dan Gorringe, said the umpire had “balls of steel”.