‘Massive stitch-up’: Drama as Swans denied goal by loose goalpost padding

The Sydney Swans were dudded by an ‘extraordinary’ occurrence at Gather Round as they were denied a goal in the weirdest of ways.

Jake Lloyd wasn't too happy.

Swans defender Jake Lloyd has seemingly been denied a goal after the ball appeared to make contact with loose padding on an Adelaide Oval goalpost.

Lloyd during Friday night’s clash against Richmond unloaded a shot at goal from outside the 50m arc and made good connection, with Swans players celebrating after the ball had past the goalline as they thought it was a clean major.

The goal umpire immediately called for a score review as the ball came close to the post, with the soft call a behind.

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Very liberal use of the word goal 'post'.

A loose flap on the padding has denied the Swans a goal.

📺 Watch #AFLTigersSwans LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/c5Vwhmfd1e
📝 BLOG https://t.co/AEzBlxhsY2
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/q12VjJGNyKpic.twitter.com/nfqkyTXHcn

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) April 14, 2023

And as the ARC reviewed the shot at goal, replays showed the ball had brushed advertising padding that was around the goalpost, leading to a Sydney behind.

And it appeared the padding at the top of the post wasn’t completely secure.

If the ball hits anything attached to the goalpost — be it advertising padding or a goal umpire’s flag — it’s deemed to have hit the post.

Wait. Does the ball hit the goal post or does it just hit that loose flap?

That was a goal if not for the loose padding? #AFLTigersSwans

— Nic Negrepontis (@NicNegrepontis) April 14, 2023

Massive stitch-up that non-goal. Someone didn't do their job properly and it's cost Sydney a goal #AFLTigersSwans

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) April 14, 2023

“It’s hit that bit of material there … Looks like it’s hanging loose from the padding, doesn’t it?” Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor said.

“That’s the advertising part they wrap around the foam. It looks like it’s come loose at the top.

“Jake Lloyd will not be happy.”

Co-commentator James Brayshaw added: “It’s not properly attached … and if it was properly attached, it (the ball) probably wouldn’t have hit it.”

Officials then came out onto the ground at half-time and appeared to tighten the padding.

Some running repairs to that post … @FOXFOOTY#AFLTigersSwanspic.twitter.com/cGMUgo8p7m

— Ben Waterworth (@bjwaterworth) April 14, 2023

It mattered little, ultimately, in the outcome of the match as the Swans ran out comprehensive 44-point winners.

But Swans coach John Longmire said he couldn’t believe what took place.

“I didn‘t even know what happened to be honest until someone told me on the way in (to the press conference) … Extraordinary,” he told reporters.

Originally published as ‘Massive stitch-up’: Drama as Swans denied goal by loose goalpost padding