AFL dodges major controversy after conceding Josh Thomas goal review error in GWS’ preliminary final win

The AFL has dodged a major controversy by a matter of points after conceding the last-quarter goal review involving Josh Thomas during GWS’ victory over Collingwood was wrong.

Touched ball for collingwood against GWS

The AFL has conceded Josh Thomas’ controversial last-quarter goal in Saturday’s preliminary final was touched.

The league avoided a major controversy when GWS held on by four points, rendering the decision to award Collingwood forward Thomas a goal which was touched by GWS defender Lachie Keeffe irrelevant to the final result.

However, the goal helped the Magpies’ last-quarter surge and set up a grand stand finish as the Giants held firm to book their maiden grand final berth.

The AFL said on Sunday morning the shot “was touched by GWS Giants player Lachie Keeffe.”

“In determining a decision, the reviewer must be clearly satisfied that there is sufficient evidence beyond reasonable doubt to overturn a decision,” the league said.

“The reviewer at the time was not convinced the ball was touched beyong reasonable doubt to intervene and overturn the decision of the umpire. This is in line with the correct process for a silent review.”

Earlier, GWS board member Jimmy Bartel urged the AFL to take greater time when deciding score reviews.

The AFL ruled on Saturday night there was insufficient evidence for Thomas’ goal to be overruled, however fans were far from convinced by the outcome.

Bartel said he was confident the goal was touched and said the AFL should not rush such important calls.

Josh Thomas’ shot was deemed a goal despite evidence showing it was touched.

“You can spend all the money you want on technology, but you have still got to get the decision right,” he said on Channel 7.

“Take your time. I know there’s pressure to get it done and get the ball back to the middle. “Even being at the game last night, people on the big screen could see that was touched.”

Former Hawk Sam Mitchell agreed, saying an “extra 20 seconds” for fans to wait would be worthwhile if the correct call was made.

“They’ve put a lot of money, they have put a lot of (resources), they have got some great minds in there,” Mitchell said.

“But let’s take a bit longer.

“If it’s still a goal … people are still having plenty of time to talk about the game. I don’t think anyone loses anything by an extra 20 seconds.”

The decision to allow the goal helped Collingwood’s last-term charge and set up an epic finish to the preliminary final.

Channel 7’s Luke Darcy said he could not understand why the AFL had not owned up to the error.

“I always say to the kids, if you make a mistake just put your hand up, admit you got it wrong,” he said.

“That doesn’t seem to be the policy coming out of the score review system. If they didn’t get that video, fair enough.

“But surely they are getting every steam. That’s the idea of the ARC. If you looked at that vision, that is more than sufficient evidence, isn’t it?”

“We maybe escaped real controversy. If you’re sitting here and that was incorrectly called, the game was decided the other way by a couple of points, you’re looking at a massive, massive issue.”

Former Geelong skipper Cameron Ling was in little doubt the ball was touched, stating: “That was conclusive.”

Commentator Gerard Whatley described the incident as “a catastrophic failure of a diabolical review system.”

His sentiment was echoed by former Tiger and Bulldog Nathan Brown who said: “That decision is an absolute disgrace … we’ve got a review system for a reason, everybody could see that was a behind.”

Jonathan Brown said he was relieved the decision was not overturned: “there would have been a riot,” he said on Fox Footy.

The official word from the AFL has been that there was insufficient evidence to overturn the Keeffe decision.

Reviewers followed the right process but didn’t have the 100 per cent certainty needed to change the goal to a point.

Despite the decision going against the Giants and initiating something of a Collingwood comeback, the Sydneysiders held on to claim their first Grand Final berth, winning by four points.

Touched?

It was ruled ALL CLEAR 😳#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/F1R9xyHLz1

— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 21, 2019

You’d think by Preliminary Final day they’d have the goal review problems sorted out....#AFLPiesGiants pic.twitter.com/FYpoW7HI9f

— Cr Stuart James (@CrStuartJames) September 21, 2019

Get some decent cameras these goal review replays are a joke @AFL #AFLPiesGiants . Embarrassing . Amateur football league

— Kristos Kyriacou (@Kyri_1) September 21, 2019

#AFLPiesGiants asked my son about the afl goal review. His answer straight away was it’s dog poo

— Barry Plant Rosebud (@BarryPlantRoseb) September 21, 2019

so the review shows it was clearly touched but they pay the goal anyway? #afl will be hoping the pies don't get up... #AFLPiesGiants

— David Polkinghorne (@Super_Couch) September 21, 2019

How can you possibly have a goal review system and get that wrong in a prelim.

Absolutely insane.

— SportsThoughts (@Puntnow) September 21, 2019

Great job AFL. Build the bunker and don’t send the biggest goal of the year so far for review 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/O6GHqeJGDs

— Ben Mallis (@BenMallis) September 21, 2019

The Giants are into their first grand final with the 8.8 (56) to 7.10 (52) triumph and will meet Richmond in the premiership decider.

The Magpies came back from 33 points down early in the last quarter to almost snatch the win.

Thrilled with his side’s courage and determination, Phil Davis couldn’t contain his joy after the siren.

“They just kept coming and coming,” he said. I was useless today and they were all outstanding.

“The resilience this club has built is unreal. I’m so proud of the players and the club, we are building something pretty special.

“They came and they came. We are made of the right stuff. I’m so proud, we’ve come from the bottom and we deserve it.”