Former players criticise umpiring decisions after more goals were kicked from frees in big Collingwood win

After Carlton kicked eight goals from free kicks on Thursday night, more umpiring decisions in front of goal again left fans baffled during the Collingwood-Western Bulldogs clash.

Marcus Bontempelli tries to break a Brody Mihocek tackle. Picture: Getty Images

The standard of umpiring was placed under the microscope again on Friday night after several confusing decisions paid directly in front of goal left supporters at home tossing their TV remotes in anger.

Western Bulldogs recruit Alex Keath was penalised for tunnelling Mason Cox during the second quarter in the most glaring mistake that gifted the giant Magpie his second goal.

Keath made minimal contact and former Dogs star Lindsay Gilbee tweeted: “I’m lost for words how bad that decision, you can now misjudge the flight as a forward and you get a free kick”.

@alvey5 I’m lost for words how bad that decision,you can now misjudge the flight as a forward and you get a free kick.

— Lindsay Gilbee (@LindsayGilbee) March 20, 2020

Umpires are being spared their usual feedback – in the form of howling abuse – due to fans being locked out of games.

Carlton kicked eight of its 12 goals from free kicks on Thursday night and then on Friday night an early run of four out of five majors all came from dubious whistles.

Will Hoskin-Elliott, Brodie Grundy, Mitch Wallis and Cox capitalised after decisions went their way.

Dogs star Lachie Hunter can count himself unlucky at being penalised for holds against both Hoskin-Elliott and Grundy.

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Mason Cox benefited from an umpiring decision in the first quarter. Picture: Getty Images

During the first quarter Marcus Bontempelli was tackled as he took the ball out of bounds and went to set up for a throw-in.

The Bulldogs captain looked surprised when he was told to fetch the ball as he had been awarded a free kick for being tripped.

“I don’t think they’ve got the feel of the game at the moment,” former Bulldog and Richmond star Nathan Brown said on Triple M.

Luke Darcy noted how the umpires were paying “sensitive free kicks”.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick was frustrated at the treatment of his forwards on Thursday night.

“Tom (Lynch) and Jack (Riewoldt) battled against guys that … I’m trying to think of how to say this diplomatically. I don’t think I can, so I’m not going to say it,” Hardwick said.

“Look at the tape. Do some work, you blokes (media).”

Originally published as Former players criticise umpiring decisions after more goals were kicked from frees in big Collingwood win