Draper move ‘was free kick’, but AFL backs umpires
The AFL concedes Adelaide should “technically” have been awarded a holding-the-ball free kick on the siren on Friday night.
But the league defended the umpires’ controversial noncall, saying not penalising Essendon ruckman Sam Draper was the correct approach given the officials were uncertain where the footy was and who had control of it amid the congestion.
The siren sounded immediately after the decision to award a ball-up inside the Crows’ attacking 50, denying them a shot at goal, as the Bombers prevailed by three points.
Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker would have had the chance to win the game from 35m on a slight angle if the free kick had been paid.
An AFL spokesman said that at the time at ground level the umpires believed Draper dived on the ball then it came out to his left and was knocked back under him by Walker.
“In review, and with the assistance of the broadcast angle and behind the goals Hawkeye vision providing a clearer look, you can see that the ball moves from under Draper’s chest to under his armpit/shoulder, which means the ball is still in his possession, and he has not immediately knocked it clear, therefore, it technically should have been a holding the ball free kick,” the spokesman said.
“It’s a very challenging one for the umpires in this situation, with the ball on the ground, to see exactly where the ball is, under a large number of players and who has control of it.
“On ground level they were not certain of all these factors, so they didn’t pay it, which is the correct approach at the time.”
While Crows coach Matthew Nicks would not weigh into the debate, captain Jordan Dawson said he assumed if a player dived on the footy it should be a free kick.
“So I’m not sure about that last couple of seconds,” Dawson said on Triple M on Saturday. “I’ll be interested to see the ruling on that.”