Sydney's controversial win over Adelaide on Saturday night will stand, despite a howler from an AFL official in the dying stages which has seen the goal umpire in question stood down.
With their season on the line, Crows player Ben Keays appeared to have scored a late goal, but the umpires deemed the ball to have grazed the post and the Swans ultimately held on for a 74-73 victory.
Replays however showed a different outcome and it has left the league in a tough situation.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan fronted the media on Sunday morning and admitted the decision was a "mistake" - however, the final decision and result will stand.
MORE: North Melbourne veteran hospitalised after unprovoked attack
Adelaide robbed of finals opportunity after AFL umpire howler
The decision not to review the potential goal left plenty and McLachlan told reporters that it would have been overturned if it went to a review.
“There was a goal umpiring decision that should have been reviewed and it was a mistake,” he said.
“It’s a human error but given the context and moment, it was of great consequence. It would have been overturned and been a goal.
“The result stands, but this was a mistake.”
IT HIT THE POST! The Crows thought they were home! 😱
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 19, 2023
📺 Watch #AFLCrowsSwans LIVE on ch. 503 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/Jo6wz678kb
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/LvHz6hWdzg
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/dFBdvXd8gU pic.twitter.com/i5f94nTbDE
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan says Adelaide’s Ben Keays’ behind last night “should have been reviewed and that was a mistake…it would have been overturned and been a goal.” @9NewsMelb @FootyonNine pic.twitter.com/pYWSOoNuxv
— Joshua Dawe (@joshuadawe9) August 20, 2023
The bravest goal umpire in the world. It cleared the padding. The replay shows daylight between the post and the ball. Snicko didn’t work. If he had reviewed it you could easily make a case the ARC would have called it a goal. Adelaide will believe they should have won #afl pic.twitter.com/Ffk7qkz5Od
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 19, 202
With a clash against the lowly West Coast in the final round of the season, Adelaide needed a win on Saturday night against the Swans to keep their finals hopes alive.
The side now sit eight points outside the finals picture and while a likely win over the Eagles next week will bump them closer, the costly decision against Sydney has ended their season.
AFL goal umpire stood down for remainder of 2023 season
Despite having 15 years of experience, the goal umpire in question made a definitively wrong decision and will now be unavailable for selection for the rest of the year.
"The AFL has confirmed the goal umpire in last night’s match between the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans made an error in definitively calling a point and not referring the decision to the ARC for review," an official statement on Sunday morning said.
"There were no communications issues between the ARC and the umpires and with the ball being kicked in and returned to play so quickly by Sydney it didn’t allow enough time for the ARC to review or field umpires to refer to a review.
"Upon review, the outcome was conclusive that the decision would have been overturned and it should have been referred to the ARC at the time.
"The goal umpire involved in the incident is being provided support by the AFL and we ask for everyone to respect how challenging a time it would be for him presently.
"The goal umpire will not be available for selection for the rest of the AFL season."
The statement also reiterated the result would not be changed and thanked Adelaide for their professionalism.
Adelaide Crows respond to controversial defeat
Adelaide Crows CEO Tim Silvers admitted the umpire's error does not change the frustration among fans, players and club staff.
“Human error is, and always will be, part of football and we recognise our own performance in the first half of the season defining game was not at the standard we expect either,” he said.
“We are also extremely proud of our players’ effort, commitment and never give up attitude, which was again on show.
“The failure to video review the scoring attempt in question is inexplicable given the enormity of the moment, not just for that game but also what it meant for our finals chances and those of other teams in the competition.
“Having spoken to the AFL and with no further avenues to explore, we have no choice other than to turn our focus to the final home and away match of the season.
“While we will not participate in the upcoming finals series, we are determined to build on the progress our young playing group has made this year.”
