Clarko’s ‘extra man’ call under scrutiny
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson’s comments on umpiring decisions giving Sydney “an extra player on the ground” are likely to be scrutinised by the AFL as part of its Monday morning football review.
And his Port Adelaide counterpart Ken Hinkley’s critique of the umpires could also draw the AFL’s ire.
Clarkson was again filthy after his side’s loss to a young and inexperienced Sydney side, the club’s fourth loss in a row since leaving Melbourne for an interstate hub. Sydney was furious with Clarkson’s comments that Tom Papley “milks a free kick as well as anyone” in the AFL.
But his comments about an unbalanced free kick count are more likely to be looked at dimly by AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking.
“A low-scoring game and the free kicks are 22-13 against, it’s like we’re giving them an extra player on the ground,“Clarkson said.
“That’s the way it goes. There’ll be games where we’re ahead in the free kick count. It didn’t work out for us this game.”
The AFL on Sunday wouldn’t comment on whether it would review Clarkson’s comments, but Hocking will be sure to consider them.
Ex-Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes had to issue a public apology recently when he said umpires had a “set agenda” against Toby Greene.
But Hinkley was slightly more subtle in his comments on the umpires after St Kilda won the free kick count 21-15 in a brilliant upset victory on Saturday night.
“I’m not an umpire basher at all, but gee, that was an interesting game,” he said.
“I will say this: the challenge with the umpiring is that it should not change from week to week. That’s confusing for everyone. Like the umpires walk off tonight and they got a howling and that’s not their fault most of it. The game should not get adjusted from week to week.
“The rules are the rules. They don’t need to change, we just need to umpire them consistently. Like I want my team to play consistently.”
Geelong great Jimmy Bartel said on 3AW Hinkley could expect a please-explain but might dodge a penalty.
“Any time you question umpires doesn’t the AFL pick up the phone and say we are not sure about this, please explain your reason? He didn’t bash them, I think he kept it general enough that he’s fine.”