‘Can’t see’: AFL flaw on show in ‘extraordinary’ moment

An “extraordinary” moment during Geelong’s blockbuster clash with Carlton has once again exposed the AFL’s score review system.

Sceptics of the AFL’s goal review technology were given more reason to be cynical after a surprising call during Geelong’s blockbuster clash with Carlton on Saturday at the MCG.

Geelong continued their unbeaten start to the season with an impressive 18.10 (118) to 15.15 (105) victory — their seventh win of the year.

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In the first quarter Geelong kicked five goals while Carlton were wayward with two goals and eight behinds.

The Cats extended their advantage in the second term with another five goals, although they were lucky one of their majors was allowed to count.

Midway through the second quarter, Geelong’s Max Holmes scooped up a loose ball and kicked it high to the goal line, where teammate Ollie Henry appeared to push Carlton defender Lewis Young in the back and take a mark right on the goal line.

Watch the goal umpiring decision in the video player above

Ollie Henry marked it right on the goal line. Photo: Fox Footy.

You couldn’t tell from this angle. Photo: Fox Footy.

Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson said in commentary: “Ollie Henry, it could have been a push, it could have been a point.”

David King said: “I think it’ll be a mark.”

Hawks legend Jason Dunstall added: “If it’s a mark it’s an extraordinary push. Looked like he got away with a decent shove one way or another.”

Both the goal umpire and boundary umpire appeared to agree either the ball was touched or Henry took full control of the mark over the goal line, meaning it should have been a behind.

But the decision was sent to the AFL Review Centre (ARC), which deemed Henry took the mark before crossing the goal line, despite the footage from the goalpost being fairly inconclusive.

Dunstall said: “You can’t really see because the body’s covering the ball.”

The umpires couldn't decide among themselves.

Ollie Henry was lucky to get that goal. Photo: Fox Footy.

After the umpiring deliberation, Henry went back and snapped the goal to extend his side’s lead to 12 points.

The ARC has long been criticised by fans desperate for an improved technology system for reviewing line-ball calls on the goal line.

SEN’s Nic Negrepontis wrote on X: “A brilliant combination of umpiring there. Matt Nichols somehow doesn’t pay push in the back and then the ARC calls a mark conclusive despite the ball literally not being in shot on the goal line camera.”

Footy broadcaster Julian de Stoop said: “Surely you back the boundary umpire there who was sure it was a behind?”

Other questionable umpiring calls came later in game when Jeremy Cameron was gifted a 50m penalty and a goal because Harry McKay was ruled to have broken the standing the mark rule by running back to defence.

Geelong’s Cam Guthrie also kicked the ball straight to the boundary line but the umpire didn’t pay a free kick for insufficient intent, also known as the deliberate rule.

The Cats led 10.4 (64) to 6.9 (45) at halftime at the MCG and repelled the Blues to run away with a 13-point win.