In the final quarter of Saturday night's blockbuster between the AFL's two South Australian clubs, the Crows were trying desperately to generate momentum, after being left shell-shocked by a Power side who'd built a 33-point buffer at the final change.

Talismanic spearhead Riley Thilthorpe attempted to bend a set shot through the big sticks from the left half-forward flank, but failed to generate enough curve on his kick. The shot appeared to hit the Adelaide Oval turf on the out-of-play side of the right behind line, before bouncing back into play.

As if the behind not being called was not bad enough, Ben Keays was gifted a dubious shot on goal, after having his arm held. After missing his initial shot, he was inexplicably handed a second attempt, and the same mistake was not made twice, with the 29-year-old putting a six-point-sized dent in Port Adelaide's lead.

The initial free for holding should not have taken place, all things being equal, after the ball had been kicked out of play by Thilthorpe.

Thankfully, the Power's lead would prove ultimately unassailable, sparing the AFL from further embarrassment being attached to their unreliable processes this season.

The goal umpire needed to assert control over his domain and signal the initial behind.

For what feels like the hundredth time this season, a procedural nightmare could have had a material impact on the outcome, if this game was any closer.

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With the shadow of the Rowan Marshall blunder still being cast over proceedings, months later, commentator Kate McCarthy asked the question on Seven's Sunday Footy Feast, "Is there a league with more knee-jerk reactions than the AFL?"

The AFL are expected to comment, and in so doing, answer McCarthy's question, in the coming days.

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