‘Disgrace’: Dangerous tackle free kick controversy explodes

Several greats of the game and those watching on couldn’t quite believe their eyes as several dubious free kicks were dished out.

Footy fans were left seething on Friday night with many quickly declaring the tackle was officially dead.

In the first half of Port Adelaide’s contest against Hawthorn, two very dubious free kicks left those watching on seeing red.

Watch the best coverage of the 2024 AFL finals, with expert analysis and every game until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

The first came when Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol looked to have danced around several Port defenders before he was wrapped up by Lachie Jones and taken to the turf.

The whistle blew with everyone believing the free kick had been awarded for holding the ball … the umpire saw it differently.

Chol was awarded the free kick with Jones being pinged for a dangerous tackle with replays showing he had pinged both arms and slung the forward to the deck.

NCA. ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA. September 13, 2024. AFL Semi Finals. Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval. Hawthorns Mabior Chol is tackled by Ports Lachie Jones in the second quarter. Picture: Michael Klein

Anger went to the next level only minutes later however when the Hawks were awarded yet another free kick from a dangerous tackle.

In the middle of a contest, Dylan Moore picked the ball up before Jase Burgoyne wrapped his arms around him and took him to the ground.

Moore accentuated and thrust his head back, fooling the umpire into paying the free kick with frustration boiling over before a 50m penalty was paid.

Both free kicks left footy legends and fans watching on seeing red with many blasting the umpires for paying the free kicks.

“That’s amazing that’s a free kick,” Kane Cornes said on SEN 1116.

“One of the worst free kicks you’re ever going to see.

“Terrible decision,” Matthew Lloyd said on 3AW as Jimmy Bartel added: “That is not a dangerous tackle”.

The Herald Sun’s Tim Michell wrote on X: “The game has lost the plot if these tackles are free kicks.”

AFL great Mick McGuane wrote: “This f***ing sling tackle bullsh*t is out of control. What about momentum through the tackle, doesn’t exist obviously? Let’s just cuddle. Jones v Chol … disgrace.”

Some pointed the finger firmly at the umpires for continually interjecting themselves into the contest.

Former AFL star Tom Rockliff wrote: “Umpires ruining a great final. Let the boys play, couple of horrible free kicks.”

ABC’s Paul Johnson wrote: “Update: The free kick count has evened up but these umpires are flat out terrible. Overly officious and making the match about them and not the players. Someone forgot to tell them they’re not participating. The @afl is to blame.”

A THIRD Hawthorn goal from another dangerous tackle free kick AND 50m penalty.

📺 Watch #AFLPowerHawks on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/vciE8nsxUp
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/75UiikqPUo
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/YS63RgGuhZpic.twitter.com/9rmCIetqw4

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) September 13, 2024

The Power dominated the bulk of the opening half, but in a flash the Hawks found their groove and thrust themselves back into the contest.

Despite the early Port dominance, the home team wasn’t able to put the damage on the scoreboard and the Hawks cashed in.

Four goals in the second quarter had them back to within three points before a last second heartbreaker.

With next to no time left on the clock the Power surged forwards with Willie Rioli getting out the back and soccer kicking one through moments before the siren sounded.