The Swans were “gifted” a goal in the second quarter on Friday night after an incorrect umpiring call, and Blues supporters everywhere would’ve been livid it cost their team six points.
Five minutes into the second term, Sydney forward Isaac Heeney, tied up in the right forward pocket, opted for a dribbling kick towards goal — only for it to rebound off the foot of Jacob Weitering like a blocked cross in soccer.
The ball ricocheted straight off Weitering’s boot into the turf before bouncing high and out of bounds.
The issue? The boundary umpire, who was some distance away, adjudged it to have come off Weitering’s boot and straight on the full.
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The adjudicating umpire was actually closer to the play than the boundary umpire, with the two engaging in conversation before coming to the conclusion that out-on-the-full was the correct decision.
The field umpire could be heard saying to the boundary umpire: “You thought it was out on the full? No worries, free kick.”
It’s worth noting field umpires have the ability to overrule boundary umpires in circumstances such as these.
“That’s straight into the ground,” exclaimed dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna in disbelief.
“And the field umpire was right in front of that one as well, and he’s just gone on the word of the boundary umpire.”
Consequently, Heeney snapped the goal on his left boot, reducing Sydney’s deficit to just five points as momentum began to swing in the second stanza.
“He will take that gift and run with it!” exclaimed Fox Footy caller Anthony Hudson as Heeney celebrated his major.
“All that was left to do was collect the high fives after that, and Carlton and particularly Mitch McGovern will be bleeding.”
Montagna said: “That was so obvious, and the field umpire was right in front. Now, the boundary umpire may have just been caught behind.
“He’s essentially guessing … the field umpire was right there.”
AFL legend Jason Dunstall added: “Well, if the field umpire saw it, you’d like to think he would overrule the boundary umpire.”
Fellow Fox caller Gerard Whateley, who called the sequence “terrible”, added: “The boundary umpire has got no view of that, you can see where he was.
“Not the right outcome for the game.”
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