‘Bit of a circus’: Pies coach, AFL world ‘furious’ amid late umpiring drama in thriller

Collingwood’s season is in tatters, but were they robbed by a controversial late umpiring decision in a dramatic loss to the Swans?

Craig McRae commented on the call.

Collingwood’s season is in tatters, but were they robbed by a controversial late umpiring decision?

The Pies’ season is all but over after a heart-breaking three-point defeat at the hands of ladder-leaders Sydney in round 22.

The Pies led by as much as 27 points early in the fourth quarter before being overrun by the slick Swans.

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Collingwood midfielder Josh Daicos burst away from stoppage on centre wing to spot forward Dan McStay on the lead.

McStay marked ahead of Swans defender Tom McCartin, who continued to follow McStay as he went back to take his kick.

McStay pointed to McCartin on the mark before turning to play on and drive the ball inside 50 with less than 40 metres away.

Craig McRae thought it should have been a 50-metre penalty.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae did not hold back in his assessment of the incident in his post-match press conference.

“I think if it was at the MCG it would’ve been paid,” he said.

“ There’s definitely an advantage for home ground. I thought it was a 50-metre penalty to the letter of the law.

“I’m sure the AFL will come out and say it’s a free kick or 50-metre penalty. There were a lot of deliberates tonight. It was a bit of a circus. I’m sure they’ll come out and justify that too. But yeah, umpires don’t always get it right.”

Fox Footy expert David King took to X to voice his frustrations.

“I’d be furious if I were a Collingwood fan,” he began.

“Exactly the same as the NM 50mt penalty a few weeks back. Just call it – it’s there, have the prunes to administer the rules! Great game – lots to celebrate but gee whiz!!!”

Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley believed that the umpire cut McCartin some slack given the pace he attacked the contest.

“So the adjudication was he wasn’t able to slow down after the mark was taken,” he said on Fox Footy post-match.“It’s hard to call here,” Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis replied.

Sydney's Isaac Heeney was on fire in the last quarter. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

“Play on. He was going back, he was listening to the instructions calling him back,” Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown added.

“He was going back. The umpire had called him back and he was going back, I think, when he played on,” Lyon said.

Played well Swans this quarter but Pies have been completely stitched by home crowd umpiring

— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) August 9, 2024

She’s probably a 50m penalty 28-min into Q1, Q2 or Q3… #AFLSwansPies

— Josh Jenkins (@JoshJenkins24) August 9, 2024

Other football experts were also bewildered.

“That’s got to be 50 metres?” Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge remarked on Channel 7 commentary.

“Wow – was that 50m for going over the mark?” Brian Taylor asked.

“He’s about five metres over,” Hodge replied.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas posted: “Played well Swans this quarter but Pies have been completely stitched by home crowd umpiring.”

Ex-Adelaide Crow Josh Jenkins wrote: “She’s probably a 50m penalty 28-min into Q1, Q2 or Q3…”

Originally published as ‘Bit of a circus’: Pies coach, AFL world ‘furious’ amid late umpiring drama in thriller