Tom Atkins umpire last touch decision controversy in Geelong Cats versus Adelaide Crows clash
Geelong coach Chris Scott says he will support the use of the AFL Review Center (ARC) for contested last-touch decisions after veteran Cat Tom Atkins won a crucial free kick that should have gone to Adelaide in a dramatic final quarter when the lead was just two points.
The ball appeared to come off Atkins’ shoe, but the freshman midfielder picked it up and quickly turned and took the shot before the referees could intervene to have the decision reviewed by the ARC.
Atkins then started a chain of plays that culminated in Jack Martin scoring a superb goal to extend the Cats’ lead to eight points – the final margin being 9.14 (68) to 9.6 (60) when the final siren sounded.
“If people say that [the decision] “It was wrong, probably right,” Scott said. “I think it’s a pragmatic and sensible decision: if we can get some help from ARC on these issues we should do it, but it’s not the way to keep the game going for very long.
“If the question was, ‘Do you prefer it to take a little too long, but do you want them to do it right?’, yes, I would prefer them to do it right,” Scott said.
While the decision was important, the Cats would be disappointed to lose to an undersized but plucky Adelaide after dominating the region for most of the match with 22 players in the inside 50s.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks refused to engage in any argument that the decision was a factor in the outcome, saying he was more concerned about the controversial loss of possession.
Speaking to Fox Footy news after the clash, former North Melbourne premiership player and All-Australian David King said Atkins had “delayed” the referees on the boundary by claiming a free kick after his own boot had last touched the ball.
“That was a clear, clear boot from Atkins, who kept up with the referee perfectly,” King said.
“The ball comes out of Atkins’ left shoe and he charges and says, ‘This is my ball.’ He played it smart and ended up outsmarting the men in green.”
Also on Fox Footy, Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend Jason Dunstall also called for the ARC to be involved in such moments.
“As a rule of procedure this is a farce,” Dunstall said.
“It doesn’t matter whether the ball comes back into play or not. If it’s completely wrong, tell the referee to blow the whistle, raise the whistle and make sure the free kick is decided correctly.
“What’s the point of having it otherwise?”
In the end Geelong worked hard for the win which extended their unbeaten record at home against Adelaide to 23 years.
Without their captain Jordan Dawson and three of their most experienced players – Taylor Walker, Rory Laird and off-season recruit Callum Ah-Chee – the Crows managed to take the lead five minutes into the final quarter despite losing the turf battle.
At that stage, they tried to gain momentum by scoring three unanswered goals while winning the ground ball battle. They had overcome a 20-point deficit at the start of the second term and were worrying the Cats.
But due to dreary, cold weather and the short break compared to opponents who had not played since round one, the Crows were unable to handle the pressure. The Cats continued to push and eventually broke the Crows when Jack Martin showed great skill and athleticism to score his third goal. Ollie Dempsey then scored from the goal area and the Cats were home.
At least that’s what they looked like; The Crows’ final push faded when Izak Rankine failed to clear Riley Thilthorpe’s shot, which could have brought the margin back under goal with a minute remaining.
Geelong were helped by outstanding performances from Bailey Smith and Max Holmes and excellent efforts from defenders Connor O’Sullivan and Sam De Koning.
Scott praised De Koning’s play, saying it was the premiership defender’s best performance “in a long time”.
As the skies opened up and the Cats relied on their midfielders to score goals, the Crows continued to come through with their superior use of the ball. They continued to find Zac Taylor inside the 50; He scored three goals in the first three quarters.
But history remained on the Cats’ side. They won all 15 matches they played before, being ahead after three quarters. Geelong moved Jeremy Cameron out to the wing to bring him into the game, locking the ball into the front half.
