'What's he asking?': AFL world erupts over umpire's baffling decision

The AFL world was sent into meltdown as Carlton fans were left fuming following a controversial holding the ball decision on Sam Petrevski-Seton.

The Eagles on Sunday afternoon notched their sixth straight win with a 72-50 victory over the Blues.

The win wasn't without controversy after Petrevski-Seton was pinged for holding the ball in a tackle involving West Coast's Jack Darling during the first quarter of the match.

Players, fans and commentators were left scratching their heads when the umpire called a free-kick despite Petrevski-Seton having almost no chance of disposing of the ball.

The umpire argued that the 22-year-old didn't make a genuine attempt to dispose of the football, constituting the decision of holding the ball. The decision immediately resulted in a West Coast goal.

The Channel Seven commentary team was left stunned with Geelong Cats legend Cameron Ling baffled at the decision.

"He was wrapped up straight away by a man a hell of a lot bigger than him. What's he asking Sam Petrevski-Seton to do here?" Geelong great Cameron Ling said.

AFLW star Daisy Pearce added: "Absolutely no prior opportunity.

"He's given up trying to get it out because he's got one of the biggest guys on the ground laying on top of him, keeping the ball in."

Former AFL star Brendan Fevola was among a host of past and current players questioning the decision on social media.

Fevola took to twitter and asked: "What's the player supposed to do, sh-- it out?"