Anglesea Kangaroos seeking clarification on ‘poor decision’ that gifted Geelong Amateur win after the siren

AFL Barwon has reviewed the decision to award Geelong Amateur a 50-metre penalty after the siren, costing Anglesea the win. WATCH THE VIDEO

AFL Barwon has approved the decision to award Geelong Amateur a 50-metre penalty after the siren in a four-point win against Anglesea.

The penalty was awarded after Kangaroos co-coach Jordan Keras entered the protected zone behind the man on the mark, resulting in a goal line kick from Ammos forward Max Hungerford to seal an 11.11 (77) to 10.13 (73) victory.

But AFL Barwon region manager Edward Wilson said the league was happy with the decision to award the contentious penalty.

Anglesea player coach Jordan Keras talks to his players at three-quarter time. Picture: Alan Barber

“We will always support our umpires and the decisions they make,” he said.

“What transpired in this particular scenario happened in a pretty intense moment with a shot after the siren.

“Naturally, there’s a lot going on in these moments … we naturally have an internal team that reviews the footage in the week for growth development for our umpires.”

Keras was openly critical of the decision to award the penalty after the game, calling for “common sense” to be used in the heat of the moment.

BFL WRAP: ALL YOUR ROUND 14 RESULTS

While Anglesea is still mathematically a chance to make the top five, the loss to Geelong Amateur meant the Kangaroos are 10 points behind Ammos on the ladder and highly unlikely to play finals.

Keras said he was “angry” the penalty had cost them a chance to play finals.

“We had built up good momentum in the last few weeks, winning some important games and this one was no different,” he said after the game.

“We needed to get this win to realistically play finals … The umpire made a poor decision and ruined our chances for us, if Max had gone back and kicked the goal it would’ve been easier to swallow because we were beaten on the day.”

AFL Barwon will not reprimand Keras for openly criticising the umpiring decision.

“In this scenario, players and coaches are entitled to their opinion,” Wilson said.

Geelong Amateur 26 Lachlan Reilly goal Picture: Mark Wilson

“They have the freedom to share their voice and have their concerns vocalised.

“Jordan and other players or coaches are always welcome to consult with us and share their concerns, we’re always open to feedback.

“We’ll always support our umpires in situations like this.”

AFL Barwon also confirmed the league had made a decision on the location of the GFL grand final.

The venue for the season decider had been in the air for weeks after Geelong West officially pulled out of the race for the game, while GMHBA Stadium is unlikely because of the grandstand developments.

The league is expected to make an announcement about its decision on Wednesday.

WATCH: Controversial 50m penalty set to cost Roos season

Anglesea will ask AFL Barwon for an explanation about a 50-metre penalty that led to Geelong Amateur kicking a winning goal after the siren, a call Roos co-coach Jordan Keras labelled as “poor” and left his side with a “sour taste” in their mouths.

Ammos forward Max Hungerford slotted goal from the goalsquare following the 50-metre penalty to win the game, a result that ended Anglesea’s slim hopes of making the BFL finals.

Geelong Amateur co-coach Sam Darley backed Keras and said while the game-ending decision was “technically” there, it was “not a great look”.

The win gave Ammos a firm stranglehold on fifth position on the BFL table, having opened up a 10-point gap on sixth-placed Queenscliff.

The Roos lead by two points when the siren sounded, but Max Hungerford had taken a mark and was lining up for a kick after the siren from about 25m out.

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Keras said he and one other player were running back towards goal to try to distract the kicker when the umpire awarded the penalty for being within the protected zone behind the man on the mark.

“I don’t think anyone in Australia knows that’s a rule,” he said.

“I think common sense prevails there, no warning was given to us and all of a sudden we don’t get a chance to keep our finals hopes alive.

Anglesea co coach Jordan Keras Picture: Mark Wilson

“The umpire made a poor decision and ruined our chances for us, if Max had gone back and kicked the goal it would’ve been easier to swallow because we were beaten on the day.

“It leaves a sour taste in everyone’s mouths, it was absolutely gut-wrenching.”

Keras said he did not speak to the umpires after the game, but would seek an explanation from AFL Barwon.

“I said to our boys that we should shake hands and clear out pretty quickly, you end up saying something you’re going to regret,” he said.

“I was full of rage, there was nothing I could’ve said that would’ve done any good for the situation.

“We’re still seeking clarification on the decision, because I don’t think anyone knows that rule.”

Ammos co-coach Sam Darley said it was a great game of football, but was ruined by the decision.

“Technically, you could argue the penalty was probably there,” he said.

“But it’s a decision that completely changes the game, you want the goal to count on it’s merit rather than an umpiring decision.

“It’s not a great look to pull a penalty out, we would much rather Max going back and kicking for goal and winning that way than getting the 50-metre penalty paid.

“It was similar to (Sydney’s) Chad Warner against Richmond a few weeks ago, where technically it could have been paid but given the circumstances of the game and the time you probably let it go and show a bit of common sense.”

Originally published as Anglesea Kangaroos seeking clarification on ‘poor decision’ that gifted Geelong Amateur win after the siren