The AFL world has been left bewildered by the latest score review decision in Friday night's blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG.
The Bombers had firmly placed themselves ahead of the Magpies late into the third quarter while Nathan Buckley's side were desperate for a goal to turn the game on its head.
Collingwood spearhead Jordan De Goey looked to cap off a magnificent effort at goal from 45 metres out, after evading his opponent and shooting towards goal.
The ball landed on the goal line before striking the goal umpire, who was positioned up against the goal post.
The decision was immediately sent to the AFL Review Centre (ARC), with both sets of players nervously waiting for the verdict.
“Review complete,” the reviewer said over the telecast audio.
“Looking at this angle I’m satisfied that if the ball did not hit the umpire it would’ve hit the goalpost.”
The reviewers decision gave the Magpies a point rather than the goal umpire's initial verdict of a gaol, leaving fans in an uproar.
Had the decision been awarded a goal, Collingwood would have been within two goals of the Bombers with almost seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Essendon went on to boot two goals before the three-quarter time break and eventually hold off a surging Magpies comeback.
The AFL released a statement following the controversial call, stating a by-law in the 2020 Laws of Australian Football.
“If the football touches an umpire or official, and in the opinion of the field umpire it has affected a score, play will be stopped and the umpires will determine if the score should be recorded.”
The decision was moved forward to the league's review system, who made the call for the score to be a point to Collingwood.
Essendon defeated the Magpies by 15 points to round out a 3-1 start to their campaign.
