Wayne Carey believes Friday night’s clash between Essendon and Melbourne was over-officiated, urging that the umpires put away the whistle for "50-50" free-kicks.
A slew of free-kicks - 51 to be exact - were dished out during the Demons' shattering 18-point defeat at the MCG, with 28 for Essendon and 23 for Melbourne.
Slamming the umpires for using the whistle on a touch-and-go basis, Carey believes that certain calls on Jake Stringer, Alex Neal-Bullen and Shaun McKernan should have been left alone.
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“There’s been plenty tonight that could have been let go and let the players just play,” Carey said on Seven's post-match coverage.
“I don’t like to be critical of the umpires, but one thing you do like when you come to a game of footy is if it’s a 50-50 free kick, I think you let it go.
“I just reckon you let those go. They are 50-50 calls and if they’re 50-50 calls err on the other side.
“Grand final time, umpires are at their best because they let that go. I thought at times, crucial times tonight, they over-umpired the game.”
In comparison, only 30 free kicks were dished out at Adelaide Oval as the Crows were devoured by the Cats on Thursday night.
Coleman medallist Brian Taylor agreed with Carey’s argument, saying 51 frees disrupt the spectacle of the match.
“There are 51 free kicks paid on the night - 30 is a much better ratio for me,” he said.
“I don’t have any view of bias ever in umpiring, but 51 is a lot of free kicks to pay in a game of footy.”
The criticism comes a week after a pair of controversial free kicks were perceived to have played a pivotal role in Hawthorn's stunning collapse against the Bulldogs.
However, Hawks coach Clarkson refused to concede that the free kicks helped turn the game around in the opposition's favour.
"I'm not really interested in making that the debate," Clarkson said.
"All I know is the best side won on the day. That wasn't us. The Bulldogs deserved their win."
