'The gift that keeps on giving': AFL score review confusion reigns supreme once again
Just 24 hours after the AFL score review debacle involving Essendon and the GWS Giants, the infamous decision system has been again ripped apart by former players.
Geelong's 27-point win over Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium came with two dubious score reviews which went either way.
The first incident occurred in the second term as Adelaide youngster Elliott Himmelberg was awarded a goal by the goal umpire, a decision which stood after the goal review, despite footage appearing to show the ball hitting the left goal post padding.
The decision was given as a goal due to footage available to the score review officer, but not on the Seven coverage, which led former Richmond captain and Seven commentator Matthew Richardson to call for a system overhaul.
"Tell the public and the people watching — talk them through what they’re doing, the process, like they do in the cricket," he said.
Cats star Tim Kelly was denied of a third goal after the score review system ruled against him in the final term AAP
The infamous review system reared its ugly head once again in the second half after Cats star Tim Kelly's fourth quarter goal was overturned.
While the decision appeared to be the correct one, confusion still reigned supreme, causing St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt to rip the process once again.
"It's the gift that keeps on giving," he told Fox Footy.
"That was no more definitive than last night, that's why it's laughable."
While the two reviews went against Geelong, coach Chris Scott was unfazed and said the review system is an improvement.
"I must be in the minority - I cannot understand some people saying 'just get rid of it, because it was better before'," Scott said.
"My understanding of the rationale for bringing it in, was to help with the howler - a bit like the hawkeye in cricket.
"It was to stop the really bad error that everyone knew was there and I think it's achieved that goal in spades."
Riewoldt's cousin and Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt added that the AFL would be better suited to get rid of the score review system all together.
"It's going to take up another week of what is a fantastic season and we're talking about score reviews," he told Fox Footy.
"Even with the snicko there, we couldn't tell whether or not it had hit the post. Just get rid of it.
"I'm happy as a TV watcher that (goal umpire) David Rodan made a decision, he was standing two metres away from it, he's made the decision and get the ball back to the middle and throw it up."
However, the panel was split on the decision with Melbourne veteran Jordan Lewis praising the fact that the correct decision was made in the end.
"I'm a little different. I thought that played out the way it should," Lewis told Fox Footy.
"David Rodan made a decision, the ball went back to the middle of the ground, they reviewed it as the ball was going back to the middle of the ground and they thought it was a point.
"Clearly from watching it, I thought it was a point."
- with AAP
