Did the umpire make the correct call to penalise James Kelly for deliberate out of bounds?

COMMENTATOR Brian Taylor blew up after a contentious deliberate out of bounds decision at the MCG that also left Essendon fans seeing red. Was it the right call?

CHANNEL 7 commentator Brian Taylor blew up after a contentious deliberate out of bounds decision at the MCG that also left Essendon and footy fans seeing red.

In a tight, low scoring match in slippery condition, Bombers midfielder James Kelly was penalised when his long, clearing kick bounced three times before going out of bounds.

Kelly gathered the wet ball in congestion before throwing the ball onto his boot.

There were no Essendon players in the vicinity of his kick, but Carlton defender Kade Simpson had ample time to gather possession but instead allowed the ball go out of play.

Taylor believed Kelly did not direct his kick to the boundary line.

“Boy, I reckon he tried harder to keep it in than kick it out,” Taylor exclaimed after the decision was paid.

WATCH THE INCIDENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

Several fans agreed with BT and shared their frustrations on Twitter.

That is the worst deliberate decision EVER #AFLBluesDons

— Bryce Parker (@bryce_parker26) April 9, 2017

That is the worst deliberate decision EVER #AFLBluesDons

— Bryce Parker (@bryce_parker26) April 9, 2017

Deliberate out of bounds in these conditions should simply not exist. #aflbluesdons

— Adrian (@Ar__dixon) April 9, 2017

May as well just make it last touched. @afl have essentially made it that way with this stupid deliberate rule #aflbluesdons

— DAMIAN CHANDLER (@damochandler) April 9, 2017

A 60m kick in the wet with the ball changing direction on the bounce is deliberate. @AFL this dumb rule is beyond a joke. #aflbluesdons

— JB (@jaybeestweets) April 9, 2017

Kelly mean it but Simpson let it dribble over so no free #aflbluesdons

— David Mysterion (@The_IronSock) April 9, 2017

Worst. Deliberate. Call. Ever.
Disgraceful.
Just make it last touch and be done with it if you're going with that rubbish.#AFLBluesDons

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) April 9, 2017

Absolutely with BT. As I tweeted earlier, that is extraordinary. The deliberate OOB rule has become a farce. #aflbluesdons @7AFL

— Cody Winnell (@codywinnell) April 9, 2017

This deliberate out of bounds rule @AFL #AFLBluesDons is laughable

— Matthew Jenkinson (@Mattyjenkos) April 9, 2017

Originally published as Did the umpire make the correct call to penalise James Kelly for deliberate out of bounds?