Footy fans furious after Nick Riewoldt tricks Fremantle
NICK Riewoldt left footy fans unimpressed with a tactic that gifted St Kilda a 50m penalty and goal in its narrow win over Fremantle. WATCH and tell us what you think
St Kilda
Don't miss out on the headlines from St Kilda. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NICK Riewoldt left footy fans unimpressed with a sneaky tactic that gifted St Kilda a 50m penalty and crucial final-quarter goal in its narrow win over Fremantle.
The Saints were trailling by four points deep in the last quarter when Saints forward Tim Membrey outjumped two Dockers defenders to mark directly in front of goal.
Freo youngster Griffin Logue picked up the ball and threw it to Riewoldt, who was calling for it as Membrey had his back turned and walking back from the mark.
Riewoldt stepped away from the ball and appealed for the 50m penalty, which the umpire awarded.
Membrey converted to put the Saints back in front.
WATCH THE INCIDENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
While some applauded Riewoldt’s cunning deception, the act drew the ire of most on social media.
Always had lot of time for Riewoldt, but what he did today to force 50m wasnt clever footy it was flat out bad sportsmanship #AFLFreoSaints
— MITCH (@mitchthomas87) July 2, 2017
Thew to wrong player because Riewoldt deceived him into doing it. And umpire fell for it. Thought he was better than that.
— Mark Williamson (@markwillo777) July 2, 2017
I mean the umpire is at fault but Riewoldt is definetly the one to blame for this.
— Josh_Hewison (@HewisonJosh) July 2, 2017
No doubt some idiot will say it's clever, but that's very ordinary from Riewoldt. https://t.co/jtXbp3g8eV
— Regan Phelps (@Reegs79) July 2, 2017
NICK RIEWOLDT#AFL #AFLFreoSaints pic.twitter.com/j5Nufml50C
— aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) July 2, 2017
You just lost a lot of respect Riewoldt. #AFLFreoSaints #Unsportsmanlike
— Shayla Chalker (@AussieRoo09) July 2, 2017
Riewoldt, sneaky, but i love it. #AFLFreoSaints
— ThatOneAussie #JFT96 (@ThatOneAussie91) July 2, 2017
The sporting gods can't allow a Saints win after what Riewoldt did. #AFLFreoSaints
— MelbTiger Talk (@MelbTigerTalk) July 2, 2017
The equivalent of an underarm bowl by Riewoldt https://t.co/qsBFiXY31a
— Freocookster (@freocookster) July 2, 2017
Funny how we all condemned Boomer for knocking the ball out of Priddis' hands for a 50, but Riewoldt is a "genius." #AFLFreoSaints
— JB (@jaybeestweets) July 2, 2017
Nick Riewoldt that was genius #AFLFreoSaints
— James Rogerson (@Rogo_92) July 2, 2017
Josh Bruce kicked two goals in the final two minutes to seal a nine-point win.
After Michael Walters booted his sixth goal of the match to regain the lead for the Dockers after Membrey’s major, Bruce put the Saints ahead with 1min 47sec remaining when he snapped a goal in traffic.
Bruce kicked the matchsealer in the final seconds as he ran into an open goal.
St Kilda, which trailed at every change, won their third consecutive game to remain in the eight.
Midfielder Jack Steven was reported for a gut punch on Hayden Ballantyne, but the force appeared to be minimal.
And Dockers forward Cameron McCarthy could also be in strife after driving Sam Gilbert’s head into the ground in a fierce tackle.
Gilbert had to be stretchered off the ground, and failed to take any further part in the match.
Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands is facing another lengthy stint on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring early in the match.
Sandilands, who had missed the previous five weeks with a hamstring issue, lasted just 18 minutes before pinging his right hamstring while sliding for a ground ball.
Bruce finished with three goals in an otherwise quiet display, while Koby Stevens, Seb Ross, and Jack Steele (17 tackles) were important in the win.
Walters was the star of the show for Fremantle, finishing with 6.2 and 32 disposals.
The veteran had a whole week to stew on his missed shot on goal that cost Fremantle victory against Geelong last week.
Walters made amends early against the Saints, booting two goals in the first quarter to give the Dockers a 16-point lead.
The second quarter was a spiteful affair as tempers threatened to boil over several times.
Steven was reported for a jumper punch on Hayden Ballantyne.
And defender Jake Carlisle became enemy No.1 when he pushed Ballantyne while the goalsneak was hunched over in pain on the ground.
Carlisle’s act drew a free kick, and a subsequent 50m penalty should have given Ballantyne a shot from the goalline.
But the free kick was reversed from the ensuing melee, and Carlisle rubbed salt into the wound by drifting forward to kick two long-range goals for the quarter.
Jake Gresham booted three goals in the opening half to help cut the margin to three points at the long break.
The second half was a see-sawing affair as the two teams traded goals, with the goal-for-goal run only broken with Bruce’s double strike at the death.
- with AAP
A Brownlow in England: Bizarre tale of medals headed to auction
A random email from the UK that was initially ignored has led to a rare auction that could let someone into footy’s most prestigious and exclusive club.
Injury carnage means Saints fans will have to be patient yet again
Saints fans would be pulling out their hair after Mattaes Phillipou’s injury, that’s before they took a look at their fixture again. Josh Barnes writes, it could be another year of waiting.