AFL Western Bulldogs v Collingwood news: Huge discrepancy in free kick count

Collingwood came away with a six-point win against Footscray on Friday night. But how big of an impact did the umpiring have on the result? Chris Cavanagh investigates. HAVE YOUR SAY.

Footscray fans have been left seeing red after a lopsided free kick count which even the players noticed during the club’s 100th anniversary celebrations on Friday night.

Collingwood enjoyed 33 free kicks for Footscray’s 14 as the Magpies came from behind to pull off a pulsating six-point win.

The difference was even starker across the final three quarters, during which the winners enjoyed 27 free kicks to the Bulldogs’ nine.

Asked about the usual count after the game, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge played down the situation and conceded his side “gave way too many free kicks away in aerials”.

“It is not a safe place for any senior coach to be talking about adjudication of the game,” Beveridge said.

The Bulldogs lost the free kick count by 19 on Friday night. Picture: Getty Images

“I was frustrated with some of the blatant ones that we gave away. In the end, I just treat it as swings and roundabouts. I knew about the differential at the end of the game but we’ve got to move on.”

However, midfielder Ed Richards went a step further during a post-game radio interview, questioning a lack of free kicks for key forward Sam Darcy when unprompted.

“He’s really good to have on your team,” Richards said of Darcy on 3AW.

“I still think he could get a few more free kicks, if any umpires are listening. Just because he’s seven feet, doesn’t mean he doesn’t get his arms chopped.”

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When he was then asked specifically about the final free kick count, Richards said Bulldogs players “did notice it” out on the field.

“I’m always one to say, ‘Put the whistle away’. You don’t have to get yourself involved too much if you’re an umpire,” Richards said.

“33-14’s quite a big discrepancy so whether or not we were just sloppy, that’s up to them. But I don’t think it was that bad, from what I remember.”

The Bulldogs only received two free kicks in the all-important final quarter, during which they levelled the scores.

An analysis of the final term shows that there were at least four controversial non-decisions which could have gone the Bulldogs way – including two in the final minute of play when the margin stood at just six points.

The free kick differential of 19 on Friday night was by far the biggest seen so far this season.

The Gold Coast Suns had 10 more free kicks than West Coast in round 1 in the next biggest differential.

The Bulldogs ranked 11th on the free kick ladder last season, receiving 412 free kicks but giving away 418.

Richmond ranked last for a fourth successive year in 2024, receiving only 342 free kicks but giving up 427 to opponents.