Essendon coach Brad Scott has addressed the controversial ‘rushed behind’ free kick that cost his side a crucial goal on Friday night, as injuries already begin to take their toll at The Hangar.
With the Bombers having kicked three of the last four goals amid a second term spree, defender Andrew McGrath was left with ball in hand deep inside defensive 50 with little to no viable options ahead to dispose to. The 26-year-old turned briefly towards Hawthorn’s goal before slipping, and as Hawks young gun Nick Watson closed in on him, hurriedly handballed the ball through for a behind.
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Much to the distaste of him, his teammates and Dons fans, the field umpire in-play awarded Watson with a free kick at the top of the goalsquare, citing a lack of pressure on McGrath as grounds to penalise Essendon in the ultimate seven-point play.
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With no trouble, Watson slotted his set shot straight through the big sticks for his third goal before half time that left the black and red five goals down and right on the ropes.
Scott, the former General Manager of Football at the AFL, was asked on his thoughts regarding the decision, to which he initially replied tongue in cheek.
“Who cares what I think?” Scott joked.
“There’s some stuff I could say I reckon, but ask the umpires — they’ll tell you I would’ve thought.
“All we’re told — and I think I’m in a pretty good position to explain this — is if you’re any semblance of pressure and you’re inside nine (metres), you can rush the behind. That’s what we’re told, so that’s what we do.
“Unless they just say it was a mistake, which it could’ve been, umpires make mistakes.
“I think they’re pretty good (at admitting mistakes) these days. If you make a howler, you just say: ‘We made a howler’, and move on. But they have to explain it, not me. I’m just giving you the information we’re given.”
Hawks swingman Blake Hardwick went on to kick Hawthorn’s tenth goal of the first half just minutes after Watson to give their side a 35-point lead at the main break.
Beyond their tough luck with the second quarter decision, Scott’s side will feel the wrath of two key injuries for at least next week’s clash with Adelaide at the MCG. Star defender Jordan Ridley was ruled out with concussion at half time after a collision with Jack Scrimshaw — who was ironically also subbed out with concussion. Additionally, Kyle Langford did not return after injuring his hamstring in the third term.
While Langford is obviously yet to have scans, Scott was sure his key forward would miss at least two weeks, in an injury that will likely see him sidelined at least until after their Round 4 bye.
“I wish I could tell you (how long); I have got no idea, but it’s going to be more than one (week),” Scott told reporters.
“We’ve got some players we think are playing pretty well at VFL level, the options open to us are either personnel based or structure based … We will just adjust.”
The Bombers signed forward Tom Edwards late in this summer’s pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP), who was one of three emergencies named for the Round 1 clash. 37-game small forward Jye Menzie was another emergency, however his inclusion would almost certainly force a structural re-arrange that could see Harrison Jones play closer to goal in the absence of Peter Wright (ankle).
Essendon will return to the MCG next Saturday afternoon against the Adelaide Crows, who will play for premiership points for the first time on Sunday against St Kilda.
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