Crows fume as line-ball call goes against them yet again in a tight game

The last two years haven’t been kind to the Crows when it comes to the close ones. After controversy on the Gold Coast, relive all the times the Crows have been stiffed by umpiring decisions.

Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers says the AFL’s concession that the Crows were on the wrong end of yet another match-deciding call “is of no use or benefit” to the club, players, coaches and supporters.

The AFL on Sunday said that Adelaide star Izak Rankine should have either been awarded a mark or a free kick late on in the Crows’ one-point loss to Gold Coast.

But the Crows responded bluntly in return saying it was “increasingly frustrating” to have another match influenced by an incorrect umpiring decision.

“We once again find ourselves faced with an AFL acknowledgment of an umpiring error but unfortunately and in reality,” Silvers said in a statement.

“But it is of no use or benefit to our club, or our players, coaches, staff, members and supporters. It’s increasingly frustrating.

“With a 5-day break between games, we must switch our focus to putting in a strong performance against Geelong in Thursday’s opening of Gather Round.”

The Crows asked the AFL umpiring department for a “please explain” after several controversial decisions went against them during the thrilling loss.

But it was the non-awarding of either a mark or a free kick inside their forward 50 with 1min 44sec to go - with the margin at one-point - when Rankine was grabbed by Suns defender Sam Collins.

Crows fans were left seething at the decision and on Sunday the AFL conceded that Rankine should have had a shot at goal.

“With 1.44 remaining in the Gold Coast v Adelaide match Rankine should have been awarded a mark. Subsequently, he was also held in the marking contest, which should have also warranted a free kick,” the league said.

“Upon review, the umpires missed it in real time.

“The AFL football department has contacted Adelaide this morning.”

After the game Adelaide senior coach Matthew Nicks said he thought Rankine should have been paid something.

“My version is I think if he didn’t mark it, he was tackled in the marking contest,” Nicks said.

Like he has when previous contentious calls have gone against the Crows in recent years, Nicks stopped short of blaming the officials for the defeat.

But he went the closest he could.

“Clearly, we weren’t at our best today,” he said. “But I thought we did really well to hang in.

“You get to the end of the game and we’ve given ourselves a chance and you need every bit of luck in that moment.

“That last minute and a half we clearly didn’t get things going our way.

“I preach about being in the moment, don’t blame others, get on with life, you’ve got to butter up and go again next week, so I’m doing my best to stay in that space.

“I’d say we’ve got some frustrated fans out there and I feel for them. I’m a little bit with them.”

Former Crows captain Rory Sloane said the AFL conceding a mistake was made would further inflame fans.

“It means we are going to rub salt in the wounds twice,” he said on the Sunday Footy Show.