Brisbane v Collingwood: AFL admits two goal review errors

Tom Naghten

Brisbane v Collingwood: AFL admits two goal review errors image

The AFL goal review system is again under-fire after a couple of errors in the Magpies' big Thursday night win over Brisbane at the Gabba.

Collingwood were the beneficiary on both occasions, with goals being awarded twice when a behind should have been called.

The first incident occurred early in the first term when Pies forward Brody Mihocek bounced one through.

MORE: Gary Ablett and Matthew Kennedy spoken to over Israel Folau post

It was called a goal at the time and not sent for review, but replays clearly showed the ball flick the padding at the bottom of the post.

The AFL admitted on Friday morning that the wrong decision was given.


The Fox Footy panel spoke about the matter on Thursday night, questioning why the the new 'Edge' technology didn't pick up the contact on the post.

"It would seem there's been a significant error, either from the goal umpire or the third review," Jon Ralph said.

"We can see the angle where it clearly touches the padding, it wasn't immediately referred, which is fine, but all of those goals are reviewed on their way back to the centre bounce.

"Instead it was called a goal, as you can see, it clearly flicks it.

"The technology is called The Edge, it is an action at the Gabba."

Garry Lyon labelled the miss "disgraceful".

"You don't need the Edge, we saw it with our eyeballs and then they say that every goal is reviewed, I'll cut umpires slack every day of the week for making a mistake in general play but that's disgraceful," Lyon said.

In defence of the Edge, the contact was on the padding and not the actual post, which may be easier to get capture audio off.

As for the next incident, the AFL has admitted they got that one wrong as well, with Collingwood's Josh Thomas awarded a goal despite the umpire's original decision of a rushed behind.

Brisbane's Oscar McInerney appeared to touch the ball as it passed through, though the goal review deemed the ball was already over the line.

The AFL said the call should have stood as "there was insufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to overturn the goal umpire’s call of a behind."


While the errors certainly didn't cost Brisbane the match as they went down by 62 points, they will no doubt frustrate the Lions faithful.

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.