‘Disgraceful’: 50m Noah Cumberland penalty dumbfounds footy world

Footy fans are blowing up after a 50m penalty that left everyone — even the recipient — confused during the Tigers-Eagles clash at the MCG.

C'mon umps, there's nothing in that. Photo: Fox Sports

The footy world is blowing up after a 50m penalty that almost no one can defend during the Tigers’ 15.14 (104) to 8.10 (58) win over the Eagles at the MCG.

In the second quarter with Richmond holding a four point lead, the Tigers’ Noah Balta sprayed a quick wide and out of bounds on the full, giving no chance for young forward Noah Cumberland to take the mark.

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But instead of just letting the ball go out, Cumberland tried to show off his soccer skills, leaping in front of the ball in an effort to stop it as quickly as possible.

In a sign Cumberland isn’t about to make a switch to the A-League, the ball ricocheted away.

It could be argued he was trying to do his rivals a favour but compounding the already-pending turnover was a 50m penalty for kicking the ball away after the ball had gone out of bounds.

Pretty brutal 50m penalty against Cumberland results in a goal for the Eagles.

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The Eagles’ Alex Witherden didn’t realise he was awared the 50m but happily took it when he realised, leaving Cumberland perplexed about what had just transpired.

Cumberland was just trying to help. Photo: Fox Sports

Cumberland was in disbelief. Photo: Fox Sports

Social media was ablaze at the decision, with anonymous accredited AFL umpire @hasumpstuffedup saying they “don’t think it should be paid”.

“I understand the umpire’s thinking (he does kick it after the ball is out on the full), but it’s not ‘booted away’,” the account said.

“He runs at the line trying to stop the ball then almost runs into it. Clearly not intentional time wasting.”

“Disgraceful decision, that’s not a 50 metre penalty. What an absolute joke,” said another Twitter user.

“This rule was br0ught in to prevent time wasting and giving opposition a chance to push back into defence. If anything he has saved time for the Eagles by stopping the ball,” said another.

“Here is our winner for the worst decision of the year!” said one Essendon fan.

The Tigers were listless early in an error-riddled Saturday afternoon clash with West Coast, but eventually found the spark needed to kick away and claim a 46-point win, which will keep them within two-and-a-half games of the top eight at the end of the round.

Cumberland returned from a stint in the reserves. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Eagles stars Oscar Allen booted four goals and Tim Kelly had 29 disposals relished their only chance to play on the MCG this season, but they were only a sliver of light on another dark day for the struggling club, who lost impressive youngster Jai Culley early to a suspected serious knee injury.

It took until time-on in the third term for the Tigers to move clear of the plucky visitors, thanks to an extraordinary three consecutive goals in five minutes from Dion Prestia.

The first major in Prestia’s cameo was sparked by a clever and well-timed handball from Dustin Martin as he drew several Eagles defenders towards him.

The 30-year-old’s classy finishing was an outlier for the Tigers, who wasted several easy chances to go ahead during the second quarter.

Allen could not miss when provided with opportunities to score, booting two goals early in the third term as the Eagles briefly threatened a stunning boilover, but Richmond’s ongoing dominance in the contested ball, thanks to some impressive ruckwork from Samson Ryan, meant the resistance was always going to falter.

Jai Culley’s season seems to be done. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Culley’s promising season appears to have come to a shattering end just a fortnight after he claimed an AFL Rising Star nomination.

The hardworking 20-year-old crumpled in a marking contest just after the 10-minute mark of the first quarter, and although he was able to walk off the field with trainers he was soon subbed out of the game.

Culley was in tears at quarter time as he was consoled by teammates, with his reaction suggesting another devastating blow amid the Eagles’ hellish run of injuries.

Omitted forward Cumberland won a reprieve after Ivan Soldo was withdrawn from the game with a foot issue, but early in the third quarter the left-footer found himself out of the 22, tactically subbed off with an almost unprecedented -10 ranking points.

Since his destructive first quarter performance on Anzac Day Eve, Cumberland has managed only 10 possessions and 0.2, with the 22-year-old likely set for a stint in the VFL to regain confidence.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson said last week the Eagles will look to rotate the captaincy in the coming weeks as captain Luke Shuey and his deputy Jeremy McGovern remain sidelined, but current acting skipper Tom Barrass emphatically stamped his on-field leadership credentials with a colossal first half performance to keep his side in the contest.

The 27-year-old had seven spoils and reeled in three intercept marks, including a courageous grab seconds after returning to the field with his head heavily strapped, preventing the in-form Jack Riewoldt from having any access to the ball around goal.

– with NCA NewsWire