The AFL’s score review system was thrust back into the spotlight on Thursday night following one controversial moment.
Carlton and Melbourne battled it out at the MCG in a nailbiting contest that saw the Blues claim the 12.5 (77) to 11.10 (76) victory.
But it could have been a different story.
Demons defender Steven May was left seething in the third quarter after his pleas of touched fell on deaf ears following a kick for goal from Carlton’s Charlie Curnow from around 25m out.
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May had stretched out his arms in an attempt to smother the ball as the Demons were struggling down 36 points.
As soon as the ball went past May and sailed towards the goals, the defender instantly began gesturing to the umpires that he had touched it.
While no official score review was called for, the review official called for the on-field umpire to hold up play as the moment was looked into further.
Initial replays proved inconclusive with Channel 7’s Brian Taylor begging for a clearer image from the camera crew.
“Steven May might get the nod here for a touched ball. He is adamant he touched the ball. It’s impossible to tell from that, it’s just so blurry,” he said.
Dale Thomas added: “He was adamant though, his hand went straight up. The umpire’s called a goal, from what we’ve seen so far on these two angles it’s going to be hard to overturn.”
As the on field umpire began to get play back underway, a third replay appeared to show a clearer look at the moment but it mattered little as the ball was bounced and the goal for the Blues counted.
“Unless they’re seeing something which we’re not, which isn’t happening, that can’t … Hang on, this one here,” Taylor said.
“Gee, I thought that last replay might have been able to stop it and see a bent finger there, but not holding the game up any longer.”
May was left irate with the decision to award the Blues forward the goal, in what would prove to be a vital moment as Carlton eventually held on for a nailbiting one-point win.
After the game the incident was scrutinised with Channel 7 reporter Theo Doropoulos said he believed the ball had been touched.
“My instinct is yes (it was touched) because Steven May’s reaction was instant and I don’t think you see him remonstrated with the umpire so ferociously if he’s bluffing,” he said.
Thomas agreed with the sentiment, stating the reaction was telling: “There’s no doubt in my mind, you don’t react like that if you’re trying to bluff.”
The controversial moment wasn’t the only blight on the Thursday night thriller with the Demons on the raw end of a controversial decision in the fourth quarter.
After storming back into the contest, the Dees were denied a shot at goal after Jacob van Rooyen’s tackle on Brodie Kemp was ruled a dangerous tackle.
The moment left the AFL world divided with widespread suggestions players are taking dives and ducking their heads to accentuate contact to the head.