Jordan Clark says he was berating himself prior to dissent call in Carlton loss

The AFL has backed the controversial dissent call that sealed Carlton’s win over Fremantle, but Dockers defender Jordan Clark sees it very differently.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 06: Jordan Clark of the Dockers in action during the 2024 AFL Round 04 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on April 06, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fremantle defender Jordan Clark was penalised for dissent against Carlton after using the expression “f***ing idiot” but has told the club he was berating himself for allowing opponent Matthew Cottrell to mark.

This masthead understands Dockers players had been irate that key forward Jy Amiss had not received free kicks across the game while Carlton forwards had been rewarded in marking contests.

Clark allowed Cottrell to mark after George Hewett’s kick was sent forward, with the AFL on Sunday admitting their umpires missed the ball hitting James Aish’s forearm.

It was after that goal that Clark has told friends he uttered the expression “You f***ing idiot, Jordan”.

The umpire Alex Whetton immediately paid a free kick for dissent and the Blues extended their margin in a game that put them 4-0 for the season.

The league on Sunday admitted its umpires had missed the touched kick that landed in Cottrell’s lap.

Clark had been in constant chatter with the umpires all day and so it is understandable they believed he was again chirping over their decision-making.

The AFL has admitted the umpires missed a late call. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The footage showing him being held back by teammate Brandon Walker is understood to have been after the free kick was paid as he attempted to explain that he was disappointed to lose the contest.

His coach Justin Longmuir made clear post-match his players should have got on with business instead of speaking to the umpires.

The AFL on Sunday backed in Whetton handing Carlton the second goal over his dissent.

The Hewett kick deflected metres off its initial line but then landed with Cottrell, who marked and kicked the go-ahead goal.

The league acknowledged the mistake but under AFL rules the ARC cannot use its video technology to overrule general umpiring decisions.

Only shots at goals and goal line decisions can use the ARC facility despite calls for a captain’s call or the capacity for players to ask for a review in general play.

Amid complaints about the speed of games and number of video reviews, the league has no plans to slow down the game more.

There has been no general crackdown on dissent this week from the AFL after other demonstrative complaints went unpunished.

But the AFL is comfortable that Clark’s words to the umpire were so unacceptable it was a clear breach of the dissent rule.

He apologised to the umpire post-match after an incident which even saw teammate Brandon Walker try to hold him back.

It came as former AFL umpire Michael Pell lashed Clark in a tweet about his former behaviour with umpires.

The league backed the decision to give the Blues a free kick after the go-ahead goal. Pic: Michael Klein

It came as former AFL umpire Michael Pell lashed Clark in a tweet about his former behaviour with umpires.

Pell said he had not learnt his lesson after being warned about umpire abuse.

“The irony in all this is that I warned Jordan Clark in a Covid 14v14 nothing game when he was a spoilt brat and carrying on that he needed to stop abusing umpires,” Pell wrote on X.

The irony in all this is that I warned Jordan Clark in a Covid 14v14 nothing game when he was a spoilt brat and carrying on that he needed to stop abusing umpires. Guess he still hasn’t learnt. Stinky attitude and any wonder Geelong were happy to see the back of him 💩👋 https://t.co/tKPeXbKLhl

— Michael Pell (@Pell_Mick) April 6, 2024

“Guess he still hasn’t learnt. Stinky attitude and any wonder Geelong were happy to see the back of him.”

Longmuir said Clark should have ignored the non-decision to re-set and try to win the game.

“We should have just got on with it. If they weren’t happy with the call there isn’t much you can do. The players clearly thought they touched the footy but that is a really hard call for umpires to make without going to the replay,” he said of his players’ complaints about the touched call.

“We just need to move on because the umpire is never going to backtrack. Control what we can control in those moments and give ourselves a chance to reset.”

Originally published as Jordan Clark says he was berating himself prior to dissent call in Carlton loss