Gold Coast Damien Hardwick said it would be difficult to overturn Bailey Humphrey's crucial final-term goal as the Suns ended a 10-game losing streak with a win over GWS by eight points.
Early in the fourth quarter, Humphrey was running into goal when he was tackled by Giant Lachie Ash. The ball knocked loose and slid to the goal line, with footage showing the Suns forward clipping the footy with his heel. The soft call from the goal umpire was a goal, and despite a lengthy score review, Gold Coast was awarded the six points.
"There was a clear view we saw - it came off his foot, he dragged it across the line," Hardwick said.
By a brush of the leg - HOW did Bailey Humphrey get this through!?#AFLGiantsSuns pic.twitter.com/LO4ml38bT7
— AFL (@AFL) August 9, 2026
"We thought it was always difficult for the umpire to overturn. But trust me, as someone who's been on the end of those ones for a number of years and a number of times, sometimes it's swings and roundabouts.
"You just wear those ones."
GWS coach Adam Kingsley held his tongue when quizzed about the controversial call.
"I really don't know," Kingsley said of the goal.
"You guys (media) will need to make that assessment, on whether you thought it was a goal and whether all those non-decisions that weren't paid were there or not."
The loss makes it extremely difficult for the Giants to claim a Wildcard Round spot, sitting two games behind Carlton. GWS need the Blues to lose both matches against the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle, while St Kilda must lose at least one of Richmond or Gold Coast.
Then, GWS must beat West Coast and Adelaide (away).
"I don't know if it's impossible, but it's difficult now. That's the reality of it," Kingsley said of their top-10 hopes.
