AFL 2023: Stephen Rowe confirms he received no formal AFL please explain after on-air rant about the Crows goal review controversy
Stephen Rowe has confirmed that he received no formal ‘please explain’ from the AFL over his criticism of the goal umpiring blunder that cost the Crows a likely win on Saturday night.
Both Stephen Rowe and the AFL have said the outspoken radio host was not issued with a “formal please explain” from the league for his reaction to the controversial circumstances that ended Adelaide’s final hopes.
On Monday afternoon the FIVEaa sports show co-host said “I’ve had to do a please explain to AFL house” after a post-game blow-up in which he said the Crows were “cheated and robbed” by the goal umpiring blunder that denied Ben Keays what could have been a match-winning goal against Sydney.
Rowe also took aim at AFL chief Gillon McLachlan on Monday for his apology to Adelaide for the mistake, saying;
“Gill, get stuffed mate. Don’t sit there with your Cheshire grin in a park land saying you are sorry. You’re not sorry.”
On Tuesday both Rowe and the AFL said that he had not been issued with a please explain.
From Monday onwards Rowe had dropped the word “cheated” from his description of the circumstances - instead using that the Crows had been “robbed”.
After declining to comment further when approached earlier on Tuesday, Rowe opened his and Port Adelaide legend Tim Ginever’s afternoon show with a prepared statement.
“Before we get into today’s show I just want to make a quick point,” he said.
“There have been reports about comments I made on last night’s show in regards to the AFL asking for a please explain from me this week.
“The AFL has not asked me for a formal please explain and they have been nothing but supportive of our station FIVEaa in the past 72 hours.”
FIVEaa didn’t respond when asked if anyone from the AFL had contacted Rowe or the station regarding his comments since Saturday.
On Saturday night Rowe, who played 29 games for the Crows across five seasons in the 1990s and has become a longstanding host of the FIVEaa talkback show, blew up at Adelaide being denied a goal that would have given them the lead.
“Robbed. Cheated and robbed,” Rowe said on the FIVEaa call after the final siren.
“Cheated and robbed, it was a goal. Blind Freddy could see it.
“Cheated and robbed. Cheated and robbed.
“Do you know what if it comes back to if we don’t have the same technology here as the MCG I’m lynching the AFL this week.”
Rowe continued to rage at the result and the AFL on Saturday night, also taking aim at Port Adelaide fans who rang in to take delight at the misfortune of their fierce rivals.
“You’ve signed a coach you don’t want … you’re going to go out in straight sets and I tell you, your tears I will taste from here,” Rowe responded when baited by a caller.
On Monday morning, Rowe continued to vent about the result, saying on FIVEaa’s morning show that “I am going to get myself in trouble, I am not a bloke who rolls over”.
ROWE UNDER FIRE AFTER WILD ON-AIR MELTDOWN
Outspoken radio host Stephen Rowe says he had to do a “please explain” to the AFL about his reaction to the controversial circumstances that ended Adelaide’s finals hopes.
Rowe, who played 29 games for the Crows across five seasons in the 1990s and has become a longstanding host of the FIVEaa sports talkback show, blew up at Adelaide being denied what could have been a match-winning goal against Sydney on Saturday night.
In the wake of footage showing that Ben Keays’ shot at goal with 71 seconds left did not hit the post, and should have given the Crows a four-point lead going into the final stages of the match, Rowe raged at the controversial circumstances.
“Robbed. Cheated and robbed,” Rowe said on the FIVEaa call after the final siren.
“Cheated and robbed, it was a goal. Blind Freddy could see it.
“Cheated and robbed. Cheated and robbed.
“Do you know what if it comes back to if we don’t have the same technology here as the MCG I’m lynching the AFL this week.”
Rowe continued to rage at the result and the AFL on Saturday night, also taking aim at Port Adelaide fans who rang in to take delight at the misfortune of their fierce rivals.
“You’ve signed a coach you don’t want … you’re going to go out in straight sets and I tell you, your tears I will taste from here,” Rowe responded when baited by a caller.
On Monday morning, Rowe continued to vent about the result, saying on FIVEaa’s morning show that “I am going to get myself in trouble, I am not a bloke who rolls over”.
“They were robbed, I’m not going to say the other word because I’ve had to do a please explain to AFL house,” he said on the sports talkback show he hosts with Port Adelaide legend Tim Ginevar.
He also took aim at AFL chief Gillon McLachlan and the league’s apology.
“Gill, get stuffed mate,” Rowe said.
“Don’t sit there with your Cheshire grin in a park land saying you are sorry. You’re not sorry.”
An AFL spokesman said there was no please explain issued to Rowe by the AFL.
Rowe declined to comment further on Tuesday.
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