50m penalty or not? Swan NOT penalised for act on siren, sealing Tigers’ loss

One of the best AFL games of 2022 yet has finished in chaotic and controversial scenes after a post-siren call sent the footy world crazy.

No 50m penalty against Chad Warner.

One of the best AFL games of 2022 yet has finished in chaotic and controversial circumstances after an umpire decision to not hand Swan Chad Warner a 50m penalty left Tigers players flabbergasted and divided a fired-up footy world.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

With Sydney lead Richmond by six points in the dying seconds of Friday night’s game, Tigers star Dion Prestia was awarded a free kick after being held by Warner at a stoppage on the wing.

But it appeared Warner didn’t hear the umpire’s whistle, as it came less than one second before the final siren sounded.

Another look at that insane finish - should Prestia have been paid a 50m penalty?

✍️ MATCH REPORT: https://t.co/WCGK7gPDe1pic.twitter.com/OnmhVyjXvY

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 27, 2022

The circumstances meant a jubilant Warner, who was one of the best players on the ground, kicked the ball high into the SCG grandstand.

It prompted pleas from Richmond players and the commentary box for a 50m penalty.

“He’s kicked the ball overt the fence it should be 50!” Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor said

“There’s no excuses that he doesn’t know.”

As players watched on, a conversation between the umpires then took place on the field.

Umpire John Howorth appeared to seek clarity from peer Brendan Hosking, via the umpire mic system, about the location of the free kick and, crucially, whether a 50m penalty should be paid.

Howorth asked: “He kicked the ball into the crowd after the free kick … 50m I think?”

However multiple voices were then heard over the umpire mics saying “nah, nah”. One umpire was heard saying: “He couldn’t hear the whistle.”

Howorth replied: “That’s why I’m asking the question. Are we happy with that?”

No 50m penalty against Chad Warner.

Howorth then approached Prestia and explained to him why he would have to take his kick from between wing and half-forward and not be advanced 50m.

“He couldn’t have hear the free kick. It’s just common sense, OK?” the umpire said.

Prestia’s kick, inevitably, landed well short of goal and the Swans hung on to win by six points.

Warner told Channel 7 after the match he “obviously didn‘t know it was a free kick”, adding: “Otherwise I wouldn’t have done that.”

Swans star Callum Mills told Fox Footy post-game: “Ramps (Dane Rampe) said it was going to be 50 and I started going, ‘Oh no’. The reality was it was nice that it wasn’t a 50.”

The incident divided opinion.

Many fans and commentators thought a 50m penalty should’ve been paid.

“Common Sense” isn’t a legitimate call for the umpires. Sorry.

— David King (@davidking34) May 27, 2022

Lol!!!! All of those who say the 50mt penalty doesn’t influence games!!!! Exhibit A!! FOREVER!!! #ItsAMess

— David King (@davidking34) May 27, 2022

Given all the ridiculous pointless 50s given this season, I’m surprised that wasn’t one. #AFLSwansTigers

— Drew Jones (@DrewJonesFOX) May 27, 2022

“It’s common sense” according to umpires.

Brain melts after the siren are a Swans specialty. Rampe climbing the post, Warner booting the ball away.

50m penalty every other time in the game #AFLSwansTigers

— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) May 27, 2022

Common sense = Obviously Warner didn't hear the umpire blow the whistle

Precedent = That has never mattered before#AFLSwansTigers

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) May 27, 2022

That's 50. They pay 50m penalties when players kick the ball away in other situations when the crowd is loud. Why not now? Same circumstance. #AFLSwansTigers

— Jordan Kounelis (@JordanKounelis) May 27, 2022

Generally swerve umpire chat because it almost never has an impact on a result but lol the green lads have bottled that one pretty hard #AFLSwansTigers

— Dean Bilton (@Dean_Bilton) May 27, 2022

Wow that’s gonna cause some issues. ‘He didn’t know’ is not a valid reason for punting the footy into the stands. #AFLSwansTigers

— Paul Johnson (@pjohnson_sports) May 27, 2022

That’s a disgrace.
You can’t pick and choose when the rules apply. #AFLSwansTigers

— Hayley Wildes (@wildes_hayley) May 27, 2022

So kicking the ball into the stands after a fk awarded is ok these days? It’s either that or alternatively not knowing it’s a fk paid and kicking ball away is now an excuse and not 50. Either way it’s a mistake and the rule is still up for debate and interpretation.

— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) May 27, 2022

Such a great game. Disappointing ends with an umpiring controversy. I'm all for umps making the call but not smart from Warner. Bloody lucky to get away with it.

— peter ryan (@petryan) May 27, 2022

Others thought common sense, did truly, prevail.

Seven-time All-Australian Nathan Buckley told Fox Footy: “I thought that was well-adjudicated, took the time, communicating through the earpieces and came to the right decision.”

Correct call from the umpire, common sense prevails #AFLSwansTigers

— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) May 27, 2022

I might be in the minority, but I think that was good, commonsense umpiring.

— Michael Whiting (@MichaelWhiting) May 27, 2022

Good non 50 metre penalty. Umpires used common sense in a game with 60 free kicks and used some rational decision making at the death. Terrific game. #AFLSwansTigers

— Jacob Landsmeer (@jlandsme_93) May 27, 2022

From the vision Cotchin doesn’t even know Prestia has got a free kick so why would Warner know as well. Common sense.

— Tim Gossage 🤓 (@TimGossage) May 27, 2022

go join the police force if you reckon that's 50m, seriously. there's a spot for you #aflswanstigers

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) May 27, 2022

Originally published as 50m penalty or not? Swan NOT penalised for act on siren, sealing Tigers’ loss