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Laws of the Game committee member Michael Christian says Hawthorn 50m penalty was a ‘bad error’

SOCIAL media lit up again as Hawthorn received a favourable run with the umpires and a Laws of the Game committee member has backed up the storm.

KATE SALEMME
3 min read
July 15, 2016 - 4:04PM
Jonathan O’Rourke was the beneficiary of one of the 50m penalties. Picture: Mark Evans
Jonathan O’Rourke was the beneficiary of one of the 50m penalties. Picture: Mark Evans

A MEMBER of the AFL’s Laws of the Game committee has admitted umpire Shaun Ryan made a “bad error” in awarding a 50m penalty against Sydney that gifted Hawthorn a goal after the three-quarter time siren in Thursday night’s thriller at the SCG.

Swan Kieran Jack was penalised for infringing on the protected 10m zone of Hawk Jonathan O’Rourke after the Hawk took a mark at half forward with seconds left in the third term.

Collingwood premiership player Michael Christian admitted on Friday morning it was a mistake to penalise Jack as he was already in the protected zone when O’Rourke marked.

“You have to get out of the area immediately but you don’t have to run sideways nor on an angle,” Christian said on RSN on Friday morning.

“The rule is designed if you’re outside the protected zone and you run into the protected zone, 50 straight away. But when you’re already in there you’ve got to give time to the player to run out.

Jonathan O’Rourke celebrates his goal after the three-quarter time siren courtesy of a 50m penalty. Picture: Mark Evans
Jonathan O’Rourke celebrates his goal after the three-quarter time siren courtesy of a 50m penalty. Picture: Mark Evans
Jonathon Ceglar celebrates his last quarter goal after receiving a 50m penalty to put him within range.
Jonathon Ceglar celebrates his last quarter goal after receiving a 50m penalty to put him within range.

“I think it was a mistake by the umpire because he was already in there, he ran out immediately, he didn’t sprint but he was going quickly enough to get out of the area, realised he was in there and the whistle blew.

“Bad error, I reckon.”

The decision halted the momentum built by the Swans late in the third term, as O’Rourke’s goal cut Sydney’s lead to just five points at the final change.

The Hawks also received another 50m penalty, to Jonathon Ceglar, who kicked a goal to put his team in front mid-way through the last quarter.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan sympathised with Sydney supporters on Friday after another narrow loss but says umpires were not to blame for the result, declaring the 50m penalties “were there”.

“Hawthorn got two goals from fifties and that’s tough to take, I know, as a supporter and a coach,” McLachlan told 3AW on Friday.

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“But if you looked at them (50m penalties), they were both clearly there. I don’t think anyone’s disputing the fifties were there.”

The two penalties sparked outrage among fans on Twitter, with the hashtag #FreeKickHawthorn rearing its head again throughout the blockbuster clash at the SCG.

Fans were not only unhappy with the 50m penalties, but also other free kicks paid to the Hawks and ones missed for the Swans. It was the No.2 trending topic in Australia.

Sydney lost the free kick count 9-15 and at three-quarter time had received just three frees to Hawthorn’s 13.

Disappointed Sydney players, including Gary Rohan, after the final siren. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Disappointed Sydney players, including Gary Rohan, after the final siren. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Television and radio personality and former Swan and Crow Ryan Fitzgerald was one of many footy fans to vent his frustration on Twitter.

“That 50m rule is disgusting. Ruins good games of footy. Change it @AFL #FreeKickHawthorn #AFLSwansHawks,” he tweeted.

It’s not the first time fans have vented their frustration at the umpiring in Hawthorn games.

In Round 4, the Hawks had the rub of the green in its three-point win over St Kilda in Launceston.

In that game, the Saints had two 15m kicks deep in their defensive 50 called play on, which eventually resulted in a crucial Hawthorn goal. The Hawks won by three points.

A week later, against Adelaide in Round 5, Paul Puopolo was awarded a free kick for a push in the back that gave Hawthorn the lead with only minutes remaining.

Seconds later, Hawk Isaac Smith was not penalised for holding the ball 20m out from Adelaide’s goal despite appearing to have prior opportunity.

The siren sounded seconds later and the Crows were denied the chance to snatch victory.

The Hawks won by three points and #FreeKickHawthorn was trending again.

Sydney coach John Longmire said in the aftermath of another narrow loss, his team’s third after leading with less than 90 seconds remaining, he would not seek clarification from the league for the 50m penalties.

He was, however, concerned by the lopsided free kick count.

“Obviously we were undisciplined because the free kick count was 3-13 at three-quarter time and I don’t think I’ve seen a differential like that for quite a while,” Longmire said.

“We have to get better at our discipline clearly because that’s a big differential.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/hawthorn/laws-of-the-game-committee-member-michael-christian-says-hawthorn-50m-penalty-was-a-bad-error/news-story/62769cc87d72adde4919092b84d0eede