‘Umpire froze’: Controversy rocks Gold Coast’s one-point win over Adelaide

An unlikely AFL blockbuster produced one of the most controversial finishes of the season in the Suns’ one-point win.

The most unlikely AFL blockbuster that lived up to all expectations also produced one of the most controversial finishes of the season so far, with Adelaide cruelly denied a crucial free kick in a one-point loss to the Suns.

Gold Coast held on for a 13.13 (91) to 14.6 (90) win, but the unexpected classic between two sides seemingly finals-bound finished in gobsmacking circumstances.

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Trailing by one point with just over a minute left in the game, the Crows thought their star player Izak Rankine had either taken a mark or earned a free kick during a contest with Wil Powell inside the Crows’ forward 50 only for the umpire to call play on.

They then paid a free kick to Gold Coast’s Bodhi Uwland for high contact seconds later.

“No whistle! Umpire put it away,” St Kilda great Leigh Montagna said live on Fox Footy.

Mac Andrew (centre) and Riley Thilthorpe grapple after the round four match. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“That is controversial in the big moments … big call by the umpires.”

Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson asked: “He dropped the mark, but was he taken out after that?”

As the game ticked into the final minute and the Crows surged the ball inside 50 again, Crows young star Riley Thilthorpe — who kicked five goals in a monster performance — gave away a free kick during a one-on-one dispute with Suns defender Sam Collins, right in front of Adelaide’s goalsquare.

“That in the modern interpretation is the right call,” triple premiership Lion Alastair Lynch told Fox Footy. “He did throw him around, arm around the torso.”

Star Suns defender Mac Andrew then antagonised Thilthorpe, screaming and pointing in the big Crow’s face.

The Crows had one final inside 50 with 15 seconds left, but Andrew cleanly spoiled the ball away from Thilthorpe to allow the Suns to clear their defensive arc and hold on for a famous win.

Seconds after the siren sounded, Andrew went up to Thilthorpe and gave him a ‘thumbs up’ in his face — predictably leading to a tussle between the duo and other teammates.

“A lot of words (between) Mac Andrew and Thilthorpe in the last minute,” Johnson said.

“Still going on (after the siren) between Thilthorpe and Andrew in the forward pocket. Not happy.”

Montagna added: “We don’t want to see this, it’s been a great game played in great spirit … it doesn’t need to be anything more.

“Thilthorpe not happy that maybe Mac Andrew has said something to him afterwards.”

Loved that post-game niggle between Thilthorpe and Andrew . So much Feeling and emotion and will ensure a juicy storyline next time they play each other. No such thing as a last laugh in this game! #AFLSunsCrows

— Ronny Lerner (@RonnyLerner) April 5, 2025

The audacity of Mac Andrew to sledge Thilthorpe for giving away the last minute free kick despite five brilliant goals, then deliver the match winning spoil on him seconds later. Thumbs up all round pic.twitter.com/PNTL2OkKhx

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) April 5, 2025

Dual premiership Kangaroo David King said the Suns “survived the test” and the Crows “will consider themselves a little bit unlucky”.

Asked for his take on the Rankine non-free kick or mark, King told Fox Footy: “That’s a mark and/or a free kick. You can’t tackle a guy while he’s marking the ball. You can’t drive into the middle of his back.

“The umpire froze, let’s be honest, he didn’t want to pay the decision.

“It’s a mark or a free kick, there’s no doubt about that.”

Triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt added: “There were a few moments in the last quarter where the umpire froze as well, Jed Walter … he played on when he took that mark in the first minute of the last quarter.

“Yes, it was (a mark to Rankine).”

Last-minute calls against Adelaide have been amplified that extra bit more ever since their horror one-point loss to Sydney in 2023, where a goal umpire’s human error prevented them from making the finals.

Originally published as ‘Umpire froze’: Controversy rocks Gold Coast’s one-point win over Adelaide