The AFL review centre is in the spotlight after a questionable non-call in the final quarter of Geelong’s close win over Adelaide on Thursday night.
The Cats moved eight points clear with less than 10 minutes to play in the fourth, but vision appeared to show they shouldn’t have even had the ball.
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During a contest on the wing, Geelong’s Tom Atkins was attempting to shepherd the ball as it rolled towards the boundary line.
Thanks to the introduction of the new rule this season, a free kick is awarded against the last player to kick or handball the ball over the boundary line.
Atkins protected the ball before scooping it up and then launching the Cats into attack. But replays showed the Crows were dudded.
Vision played after Jack Martin had kicked the goal to extend their lead showed the ball had come off of Atkins’ boot before it rolled over the boundary line.
“This was off the boot of Tom Atkins, free kick went to Geelong when it should have gone to Adelaide,” Brian Taylor said on Seven’s coverage.
Kane Cornes added: “That’s a huge story.”
David King after the Cats secured the 9.14 (68) to 9.6 (60) victory said they couldn’t understand why the footage wasn’t reviewed or overturned.
“We’re under the impression that it gets reviewed upstairs and then it can be corrected or overturned,” King said on Fox Footy.
“Just like that first one was … why wasn’t the second? It was a clear and obvious kick off the boot of Atkins.
“Atkins stooged the umpire perfectly. He did exactly what he was supposed to do.”
Despite the controversial moment, the Cats proved too good with Ollie Dempsey slotting another goal before a late Nick Murray goal for Adelaide provided some late hope.
It wasn’t to be for the Crows however as they lost their 15th consecutive contest against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
The absurd streak stretches all the way back to 2003 since the last time the Cats lost at home to the Crows.
“That was unbelievable, I love playing at this joint and when our home crowd shows up like that you love it,” Dempsey said after the match.
“I feel like we had about 50 stoppages in a row down there so it was bound to come, so we kept the pressure on and we got away with one.”
