AFL News

Pies fan starts petition to reverse Grand Final result over poor umpiring decisions

Published by
Stephen Marson

One Collingwood fan has decided to start a petition, asking the AFL to review the umpiring from Saturday's Grand Final and reverse the result to crown the Pies as premiers.

West Coast trailed for most of the afternoon before a brilliant goal from Dom Sheed helped the Eagles take home their first flag since 2006.

However, Collingwood fan Rod Craven isn't having the result, and has cited three major incidents that he believes "were either wrongly awarded, were missed entirely and eventually were what cost the Collingwood Football Club the premiership."

Craven cited Willie Rioli's first quarter goal as example one, suggesting he didn't actually touch the ball with his boot, and because it came off another part of his body it should be a behind.

Example two states a Collingwood behind should have been awarded as a goal, as no West Coast player touched the ball on it's path through the goals. The decision was given as a behind due to Tom Barass appearing to touch the ball on the way through.

Finally, Craven cited the mark to Sheed, suggesting Brayden Maynard was impeded in the process and should have received a free kick.

Craven also detailed the bump on Maynard by Liam Ryan, and said Ryan should have been penalised and reported for striking for the hit.

The Pies fan closed the petition by demanding change.

"We as Collingwood supporters, as well as most of the general public feel that a grand final should be allowed to be won on merit, and not be awarded as the result of poor umpiring and biases toward clubs and particular players held by the governing body.

"We DEMAND that the decisions made on Saturday the 29th Sept be overhauled and reviewed in their entirety, and that either the result reversed, or the game declared a no-result and replayed in its entirety at a future date.

"Failure to act on on this will effect in a vote of no confidence in the AFL administration, the umpiring panel, and the competition in general."

To see the petition in full and sign it, click here.

Published by
Stephen Marson