Nathan Buckley admits Jack Crisp was lucky to avoid free kick on Anzac Day

Tom Naghten

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Nathan Buckley admits Jack Crisp was lucky to avoid free kick on Anzac Day image

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley conceded that the final quarter decision that saw the umpire call 'play on' following a tackle on Jack Crisp could have gone the other way.

The officiating in the final quarter of the Magpies four-point win over Essendon last Thursday has come under plenty of scrutiny since then.

One of the umpires on the day, Shaun Ryan, appeared on SEN over the weekend and ticked off on five contentious decisions in the last quarter.

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The Crisp incident, arguably the most controversial, saw the Collingwood player brought down in a Joe Daniher tackle, handballing it once he'd hit the ground.

Speaking on SEN on Tuesday, Buckley said the interpretations of the rules make it hard for officials, players and fans.

The 2003 Brownlow Medal winner also flagged a fundamental disagreement with the holding the ball rule.

"That could’ve easily been given holding the ball because of the length of time it took Crispy to dispose of the ball," Buckley said.

"He got through the first tackle so he loses his prior opportunity, which is a joke because there shouldn’t be any prior.

"If you possess the ball, dispose of the ball, black and white, easy. If you don't, it's a free kick, if you do, you’re fine.

"It really is about flow of play, what’s been accepted and allowed by the umpire through the game because each game has its own feel, has its own flow.

"We expect these rules to be rigid but we want the interpretation to be consistent across the competition as much as we can."

Buckley said the fact that most players had stopped was perhaps due to the crowd's reaction and may have played into the subsequent commentary around the tackle.

"I can understand how all members of the crowd would be disappointed to see that," Buckley added.

Check out the incident and Ryan's analysis below.


 

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.