Hawthorn get another favourable decision late in the win over Richmond

THE #FreeKickHawthorn hashtag was trending last week but it could be #FreeGoalHawthorn this week after another contentious decision late in the game. WATCH IT and VOTE

James Sicily kicks a goal in the win over Richmond.

THE #FreeKickHawthorn hashtag was trending last week but it could be #FreeGoalHawthorn this week.

Another contentious umpiring decision late in a Hawthorn game almost seems a guarantee this season and so it was against Richmond on Friday night at the MCG.

With the Tigers looking to cause a major upset, the Hawks looked to get a leg up from a controversial goal umpiring decision in the final term.

WAS IT A GOAL? WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE AND VOTE BELOW

Leading by 15 points, James Sicily lined up for goal before running around and snapping at goal.

He celebrated and the umpire agreed.

James Sicily celebrates a goal in the fourth quarter. Picture: George Salpigtidis

However, replays showed the ball curved right over the top of the goal post, which under AFL rules is a behind.

Rule 12.1.2 (scoring a behind) states “a behind is scored when any of the following occurs ... the football touches or passes over the goal post or touches padding or any other attachment to the goal post.”

It came at a crucial time in the game as the Hawks ran away with the game in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers trailed by just nine points at the final break but the Hawks kicked the next three goals to eventually win by 46 points.

It came after a shocking turnover from Shaun Grigg, who had won a free kick but tried to move the ball by hand but missed his target, allowing Liam Shiels to swoop on the ball and find Sicily in the forward 50m.

Originally published as Hawthorn get another favourable decision late in the win over Richmond