Score reviews out of hand, says Sando
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says AFL score reviews are getting out of hand, with umpires relying too much on video to make a decision.
And Sanderson is also bewildered at the umpiring in Adelaide’s costly six-point loss to West Coast on Saturday night.
The Crows coach sat through some controversial score reviews in a defeat which all but ended Adelaide’s finals hopes – they’re now three wins outside the top eight.
Adelaide celebrated a Rory Sloane goal in the tense last quarter against the Eagles at AAMI Stadium, only for the score to be changed to a point on video evidence.
Crows defender Daniel Talia also claims to have touched a long-range soccer shot from Josh Hill which was given a goal on the quarter-time siren – a score upheld on review.
And Adelaide’s Jason Porplyzia soccered a goal in the third term which was also sent for review, despite appearing an obvious goal – which the review confirmed.
Sanderson says umpires are calling for video reviews as a safety measure.
“It’s getting a bit out of hand, I think, the score review,” Sanderson told reporters post-match.
“It deflates the game … I want to have a good look at it. Maybe because we lost the game I want to make an outlandish statement. But let me have a look at it.
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“I know they’re trying … but probably tonight is not the right time to ask me about it.”
Sanderson also said he shared widespread confusion at the umpiring.
“A few times when the whistle went, I didn’t know what it was going to be. Ball up? Free kick?,” he said.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that.
“But it wasn’t the reason we lost … it wasn’t any umpiring decisions that hurt us.
“I know our fans were disappointed and a few times we scratch our head, but those boys are trying to make the right decisions.”
Port Adelaide’s problem isn’t umpires; the side that lost yesterday had its chances.
Coach Ken Hinkley says inaccuracy in front of goal in the closing stages robbed his side of any chance of upsetting Essendon in Sunday’s round-15 clash at Etihad Stadium.
Port were four goals down at three-quarter time but with skipper Jobe Watson on the sidelines nursing a broken collarbone and Brent Stanton playing on despite a bruised heel, Essendon were vulnerable.
However eighth-placed Port were no match in the end for Essendon with the Bombers winning 18.10 (118) to 12.16 (88) to move to an 11-3 win-loss record, while Port sit on 8-6.
Port were full of running in the final term but kicked 3.9 to Essendon’s 5.3 with goal-less key forward Jay Schulz among the offenders late in the match.
Justin Westhoff’s report for striking Essendon’s best-afield defender Cale Hooker at three-quarter time is another concern for Hinkley ahead of their home game next Saturday against competition leaders Hawthorn.
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“We kicked too many points unfortunately. You get a top-four side like Essendon, they’re going to make you pay eventually,” Hinkley said.
“It was a little disappointing that the boys couldn’t convert.”
But Hinkley said he couldn’t fault the effort from his men, who led by seven points at quarter-time but were outclassed as Essendon booted six goals to one in a pivotal second term.
“I’d say that lost us the game,” Hinkley said of Essendon’s second-quarter onslaught.
“This team, they hang tough. They gave themselves a fighting chance right until the last four or five minutes of that last quarter.”
Ex-Bomber Angus Monfries kicked four goals for Port while Brad Ebert gathered a game-high 36 possessions.
Hinkley said it was a brave performance from Monfries, who was booed by Essendon’s fans.
“When players change clubs it’s a big challenge, the first time (against his former side),” Hinkley said.
“He played his role very well for us.”
Tom Bellchambers kicked five goals for the Bombers and Hooker was dominant in defence.
Essendon coach James Hird said Stanton had received a kick on the heel before halftime but was able to play on.
“His game tonight after halftime when he came back on with that injury was terrific (with) two goals,” Hird said.
“He got a fair bit of the ball, defended really well and enabled our (bench) rotations to happen.
“We really tired towards the end of the game. It was a huge part of us winning tonight, Brent Stanton being out on the ground.”
Third-placed Essendon face Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
