‘That’s bulls**t’: AFL goal umpire controversy explodes in Port vs Blues

Port Adelaide’s thrilling 14-point victory over Carlton wasn’t without controversy, as late umpiring drama again reared its head.

The goal umpire couldn't quite get his dancing feet out of the way.

Port Adelaide’s thrilling 14-point victory over Carlton wasn’t without controversy, as some late umpiring drama again reared its head in the AFL world.

Power forward Darcy Byrne-Jones threw his boot at a loose ball in the goal square, proving to be the match-winner once more after his heroics earlier in the season against Hawthorn.

Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

The ball made contact with the goal umpire before crossing the line, but the ARC ruled that it would have gone through for a goal regardless, awarding Byrne-Jones the goal after a lengthy score review.

“I reckon that’s the right call, but it’s probably a game-ending call,” Channel 7 commentator James Brayshaw said.

The goal umpire couldn't quite get his dancing feet out of the way.

But the rest of the AFL wasn’t as convinced. “That’s bullshit. The ball didn’t cross the line,” Fox Footy expert Dermott Brereton told AFL Nation.

“Goal umpires positioning themselves inside the field of play would have to be amongst the stupidest things in footy,” journalist Daniel Cherny tweeted.

Journalist Daniel Renfrey posted on X: “The look on the goal umpire’s face was priceless.”

The goal shut the door on the Blues with the Power stunning their opponents to keep their finals aspirations alive in 2024, coming from behind to clinch a narrow 11.13 (79) to 9.11 (65) victory.

The Power surged against the Blues. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The Blues booted seven goals to two in the second quarter to open up a 25-point lead at the main break, but Port Adelaide stormed home with seven of the last eight goals, restricting Carlton to just one goal after half time.

Jason Horne-Francis stood tall in the dying stages with a huge set shot conversion from the 50-metre arc, while Darcy Byrne-Jones made something out of nothing with a controversial goal late.

Charlie Curnow was lively in attack in the first half with three majors but struggled after half time as Port Adelaide’s key defenders managed to nullify his impact.

The loss of partner in crime Harry McKay (illness) was clearly felt by the Blues, who struggled to impact the scoreboard if it wasn’t through Curnow.

Former Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines was immense in the middle of the ground with 26 touches and nine goals, while Willem Drew did a terrific job restricting captain Patrick Cripps and finding plenty of the footy himself.

Mitch Georgiades booted three goals, while Esava Ratugolea moved forward and was strong with two majors.

Originally published as ‘That’s bulls**t’: AFL goal umpire controversy explodes in Port vs Blues