In today’s AFLW Briefing, your wrap of footy news:
- Gold Coast have voiced concerns about the AFL’s new ball-tracking technology following a costly error in their three-point loss to Collingwood on Friday.
- North Melbourne skipper Emma Kearney has been ruled out for six weeks – meaning she is set to miss the first week of finals – with a high-grade hamstring injury.
Gold Coast have voiced concerns about the AFL’s new ball-tracking technology following a costly error in their three-point loss to Collingwood on Friday.
The Suns have requested a “demonstration and explanation” of the new initiative, after the league acknowledged the ball-tracking technology, brought in for AFLW this season, incorrectly registered a touch off the boot of Gold Coast’s Jamie Stanton.
Gold Coast’s Jamie Stanton had a goal incorrectly overturned.Credit: AFL Photos
Stanton’s snap, which was initially ruled a goal by the on-field umpire, was overturned by the score assist official, whom the AFL said “viewed one angle of vision that aligned” with the ball-tracking technology.
The incident occurred five minutes into the second quarter, leading to confusion from fans and players.
“The official at the ground should not have overturned the on-field umpires’ decision, and we understand the possibility for human error whether that be by umpires, officials, coaches, or players,” Suns chief executive Mark Evans said.
“We are, however, more concerned with the ball-tracking technology incorrectly recording the ball was touched.
“Given the potential impact on the outcome of games, it’s important for us to understand the technology and process for overturning scores.”
An AFL spokesperson said “this was a case of human error”.
“The protocols for overturning a decision require that it must be conclusive that the ball and vision align,” the spokesperson said.
“The ball-tracking technology incorrectly recorded that the ball was touched after the kick, which can occur rarely as the ball continuously improves and gathers further data.
“The score assist official at the ground viewed one angle of vision that aligned with the ball so intervened to overturn the decision to award a goal.
“Subsequently, further vision angles were viewed at half-time that whilst available, weren’t inspected at the time of the review, which showed the decision to overturn was incorrect.”
The match continued a difficult start to the season for the Suns, who remain winless in 2024, while it marked Collingwood’s first victory of the year.
The new “score assist” smart ball technology was introduced into the AFLW this year, with AFL football manager Laura Kane stating that it would bring a new level of accuracy to the game.
The technology inside the ball detects if it crosses the goal line, hits the post or is touched in flight.
“The smart-ball technology and system works in a different way to our current [review] system [used in the men’s competition], instead, it will provide information in real-time fashion alerting our score assist officials if required, who will then communicate with our umpires,” Kane said ahead of the season’s start.
Hamstring blow for AFLW star
North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney, the only player to be named All-Australian eight times, will miss six weeks with a high-grade hamstring injury.
The 35-year-old suffered the injury in the first quarter of North Melbourne’s win over Richmond in Tasmania on Sunday.
Emma Kearney will be sidelined for six weeks.Credit: Getty Images
There are five weeks remaining in the home-and-away season, before finals. The current trajectory for her recovery would put Kearney out of action for the first week of finals.
“This is obviously disappointing news for Emma and our program,” North Melbourne general manager of women’s football Erin Lorenzini said.
“Emma is an incredibly reliable player and leader for us and was putting together another stellar campaign this season.
“For this type of injury, it’s usually a six-week rehab, and we know she will do everything in her power to return within that timeframe and continue to support the team as much as she can from the sidelines.”
North Melbourne sit on top of the ladder and are undefeated in six games so far. They have won five times and drawn with Geelong.
Their remaining fixtures are against the Bulldogs, Sydney, Essendon, Adelaide and Gold Coast.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.