Geelong coach Chris Scott has accused the AFL of “cherry-picking” umpiring mistakes to publicly highlight following Adelaide’s controversial defeat to Gold Coast.
Less than 24 hours after the Crows lost a one-point thriller on Saturday, the AFL acknowledged that umpires erred in failing to award Adelaide star Izak Rankine a mark or free kick in the dying moments.
If not given a mark, Rankine looked to have been illegally held in the contest and could have been awarded an inside-50 free kick.
Either way, Rankine would have had a shot at a goal that could have won, or drawn, the game for Adelaide and kept their unbeaten start to the season alive.
It was the fourth time in Adelaide’s past 35 games the AFL has conceded an umpiring error went against the Crows in a narrow loss.
But Scott believes the AFL too often caves under pressure when commenting on umpiring incidents.
“They can be completely transparent and clarify every single mistake so everyone knows, or don’t do it at all,” Scott told reporters on Tuesday.
“But when you cherry-pick examples because there’s public pressure, I think that’s an error.”
Scott also said he wouldn’t be surprised if Adelaide benefited from an over-correction from umpires when the Cats face them in a blockbuster start to Gather Round on Thursday night.
Chris Scott. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“There’s such a thing as human nature, and I think the stats over the journey – the objective stats – are irrefutable, the home team tends to have an advantage,” Scott said.
“But I also think you can override human nature to an extent, and know that that is a possibility this week.
“The reality for (umpires) and for the other 17 clubs in the competition, regularly there are umpiring mistakes late in games that if you isolate them, cost teams the game.
“This is not a unique situation. What’s rare is that the AFL voluntarily come out and clarify it.
“Most of the time that clarification happens behind closed doors, but I would say (a costly umpiring error) happens a lot – I’m going to say at least a few times a game, especially in close games.”
Hawk midfielder out for up to four months
Star Hawthorn midfielder Will Day will miss up to four months with a foot injury in a major blow to the undefeated Hawks.
One of the key members of the ‘Hollywood Hawks’, Day will have surgery after scans revealed a stress fracture in the navicular bone of his foot.
The 23-year-old missed the early part of last year, then was forced to sit out Hawthorn’s two finals because of injury.
But Day had put together an impressive start to this season, led by a best-on-ground performance in the Opening Round win against Sydney.
“In this instance, surgery is required to fix the fracture,” Hawthorn doctor Liam West said.
“Additionally, surgery will also reduce the risk of future issues for Will during his career.”
Will Day celebrates a goal. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Hawks football boss Rob McCartney described it as a “bitter blow”.
“Will is one of the most determined and resilient young individuals I know, and these attributes will come to the fore as he starts his rehab journey,” McCartney said.
“With the knowledge and expertise in our medical team I am confident Will can return to the park before the end of the season.”
Hawthorn (4-0) sit atop the ladder heading into their Gather Round blockbuster against Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, St Kilda forward Max King will seek further assessment on his troublesome knee that the Saints called a “slight setback”.
King hasn’t featured since round 16 last year due to ongoing knee issues and his return date remains unclear.
The Saints, however, could regain captain Jack Steele for their clash with GWS on Sunday.
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Steele (knee) has missed the past two weeks, including Sunday’s rousing 17-point win that ended Port Adelaide’s long-time stranglehold over them.
At Adelaide, gun Crows midfielder Izak Rankine could be forced to miss Thursday night’s clash with Geelong due to a calf issue.
Rankine, who was central in the Crows’ controversial one-point loss against Gold Coast on Saturday, has internal bleeding in his calf after sustaining a knock during the match.
Brisbane premiership defender Brandon Starcevich has returned to running as he recovers from a third concussion in 12 games.
Starcevich suffered another head knock in the Lions’ round one win over Sydney.
Teammate Kai Lohmann will sit out another week and miss the match against the Western Bulldogs as he manages a persistent ankle injury.
