AFL round 12: Carlton snare unlikely victory after controversial ending

Footy fans were sent into meltdown mode following one of the wildest and most controversial filled finishes to a game of all time.

Carlton defied the odds to secure an unlikely victory against the Fremantle Dockers, but not without a healthy dose of umpiring controversy.

You couldn’t script what took place at Optus Stadium on Saturday evening.

Carlton were behind for almost the entire match, but a classy and somewhat controversial goal from midfielder Jack Newnes after the final siren secured an unlikely four-point victory for the Blues.

Trailing 5.6 (36) to 4.10 (34) after Harry McKay and Liam Jones both missed set shots, but two late decisions ensured Carlton had a chance to snare a miraculous win.

A clearing defensive kick with only 20 seconds left on the clock headed to the wing where Fremantle’s Matt Taberner tapped the ball towards the boundary with the field umpire pinging him for deliberate.

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Carlton defender Sam Docherty promptly launched back into attack but his kick was wayward and sailed out on the full.

But lost in the chaos was a whistle from the field umpire who had adjudged Docherty was felled by Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw and instead of the ball being in Fremantle hands, it was a free kick to the Blues.

“It’s hard to stop momentum there,” Bulldogs great Luke Darcy conceded on Channel 7, as a chorus of boos echoed around the stadium.

It left the ball in the hands of Newnes who went back on his mark, had a brief kerfuffle with a camera and security man before lining up for goal after the siren.

Despite what had unfolded before and his brief hiccup with the two men on the fence, Newnes strolled in and drilled the ball right through the middle of the goals to secure the win for the Blues.

Jack Newnes scores the matchwinning goal, with this photo taken by the photographer he repeatedly asked to move aside.

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Blues players erupted as they celebrated the stunning victory and Newnes exceptional goal of the year contender.

“He’s done it! That is unbelievable!” commentator James Brayshaw cried.

“This is going to be talked about for a long time.

“It’s every schoolboy’s dream to kick after the siren to win the game for your club.”

Speaking to Channel 7 reporter Abbey Way after the match, Newnes tried to describe the “incredible” conclusion to the nailbiter.

“Just went through my routine. There was a couple of cameras in the way, tried to get them moved,” Newnes said.

“Wanted to make contact. Similar spot to where Robbie Gray kicked it against us a month ago. It’s exciting.

“We wanted it so much. We felt like we were on top in the second half. To come away with the win is huge.”

But the chaotic scenes to end the contest sent social media wild with many fans up in arms over the controversial umpiring decisions late in the game that helped decide the contest.

Amazing goal set up by an amazingly bad umpiring decision. #AFLDockersBlues

— Cameron Luke (@camluke) August 15, 2020

ABC’s Paul Johnson tweeted: “That is some tremendously bad umpiring to pay that free kick.”

Seven News sports presenter Ryan Daniels tweeted: “That might be the worst call of the season. Holy hell.”

ABC Kimberley Chief of Staff Sam Tomlin posted: “That is f***ing highway robbery. Hope someone is waiting in the carpark for whoever blew the whistle on that.”

It wasn’t all negative however with fans loving the edge of the seat finish despite the low-scoring affair.

Former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes tweeted: “High scoring doesn’t have to equal a great game. Unbelievable.”

Tennis superstar Dylan Alcott posted: “Jack Newnes have my babies you weapon that was clutch what a win.”

Australian comedian Dave Hughes bluntly tweeted: “I believe in God.”

That was a feast of ridiculousness #AFLFreoBlues

— Tom Richardson (@TomRichardson) August 15, 2020

What is going on...#aflfreoblues

— Garrett Mundy (@GarrettIvo) August 15, 2020

Jack Newnes is famous forever now! Completely ridiculous. #AFLFreoBlues @FOXFOOTY

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) August 15, 2020

You can’t be serious!
What a finish.
An unforgettable end to a game to that point wasn’t that memorable. #AFLFreoBlues

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) August 15, 2020

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Regardless, the Blues will take the four points from Saturday’s encounter, and climb to 11th spot on the AFL ladder.

Taberner was the only player from either side to score multiple goals, slotting three majors in Perth. Meanwhile, Carlton utility Ed Carnow mustered a game-high 33 disposals.

For their next fixtures, Fremantle will take on the Sydney Swans, while Carlton will face the Gold Coast Suns.