Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley believes the umpires were rightย to call Charlie Dixon to play on after the shot clock had expired in the closing stages of the final term on Thursday night.
Dixon marked the ball with just under four minutes remaining in the Power's clash with Geelong at Simonds Stadium, and had he kicked the goal, his side would have led by nine points.
The key forward wasn't given the chance to kick at goal though, with the umpire calling Dixon to play on after his 30 seconds expired, forcing Dixon to handball sideways to Justin Westhoff, who then kicked quickly inside 50 to see the Cats rush a behind.
Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield then put his side in front two minutes later, and the Cats were able to hold on for their seventh win of the season.
When asked about the incident after the game, Hinkley said he didn't have a problem with the umpires interpretation.
"I understood it. Time ran out," Hinkley said in his post-game press conference.
"Unfortunately they got it 100 per cent correct as far as right on the dot.
"I don't think I've ever seen it before but that doesn't matter.
"The umpires got it right."
Chris Scott said he thought the call was correct as well.
"I haven't given it a lot of thought, but the rule is pretty clear," Scott said.
"I don't want to complicate it and I don't want to be critical of Charlie (Dixon) at all.
"When I say it's simple it is, but when the countdown clock is not on the scoreboard it does complicate it a little bit."
