Adelaide v Port Adelaide: Score review awards Josh Jenkins controversial match-winner

Tom Naghten

Adelaide v Port Adelaide: Score review awards Josh Jenkins controversial match-winner image

If the first Showdown of 2018 was a classic, the second one was just as good.

Adelaide claimed a three-point win to exact revenge on their rivals for their last-gasp loss to Port earlier in the year.

It was a Josh Jenkins goal with two-and-a-half minutes on the clock that sealed the deal for the Crows, but it wasn't without controversy.

The Adelaide big man snapped a kick that looked awfully close to the left goal post.

MORE: Hawthorn v Essendon: Advantage rule drama as Hawks get over the line

It was sent for a goal review, with the goal umpire saying that he thought it was a goal.

Check out the video below.


There wasn't enough evidence to overturn the decision and a goal was awarded

Adelaide were able to see out the game, after which a jubilant Jenkins admitted he thought his side got lucky.

"Grandma raised me not to tell fibs," Jenkins said post match.

"I think it hit the post, but (I'm) pretty happy that they didn't think so."


The goal review controversy is sure to hog the headlines this week, and rightly so, the system clearly isn't where it needs to be, but it shouldn't take away from another incredible game of football.

Robbie Gray kicked four goals in a losing side on his way to a fourth Showdown medal, Chad Wingard kicked four of his own in a stunning performance.

For Adelaide, the usual suspects in Rory Sloane, Matt Crouch and Bryce Gibbs in his 250th game did the damage around the ball, while Jenkins kicked three goals for his team.

It was a fascinating game in a round that has seen the eight teams that have played so far be separated by a total of 13 points.

All four games have been high scoring and free flowing.

It's just a shame that one of the games of the season has been decided using technology and a system that is not fit for purpose.

The ridiculousness of the AFL running rule trials in the VFL this weekend in an effort to solve the ongoing 'state of the game' issues is not lost on us.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.