Another week, another inexplicable goal review drama in the AFL.
Essendon were the beneficiary this time as Jake Stringer was controversially awarded a goal late in the game at the Gabba on Sunday afternoon.
Stringer had snapped a goal through a crowded pack, but the field umpire, and in turn the goal umpire, called the kick touched off the boot.
It was sent upstairs for a review where the decision was overturned.
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Dayne Beams' hand clearly moved backwards after the ball went passed, suggesting he got a hand to it.
Check out the video below.
This was paid as a goal to Jake Stringer, after an extensive review.#AFLLionsDons pic.twitter.com/y86m8I7okf
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 10, 2018
Plenty of viewers were left baffled by the decision, while commentator Anthony Hudson pointed out that umpires appear to making calls on whether the ball was touched despite having enough doubt to review it.
Even Stringer himself said he thought it was touched.
Jake Stringer tells ABC Grandstand he thought his last goal was touched.
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) June 10, 2018
"As soon as I kicked it, I thought he touched it." #AFLLionsDons
Review system broken. Umpire calls touched but goes upstairs. Review shows nothing but overturned. TWO mistakes, initial call AND review! How can you be confident enough to call it touched then call for a review? You either think it's touched or you don't! #AFLLionsDons
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) June 10, 2018
That was called touched and was clearly touched on the replay!!!!! How can they overrule that??? Are they bored and trying to create drama??? How is this review system STILL SO BAD??!?!?! #AFLLionsDons
— Rudi (@RudiEdsall) June 10, 2018
The video review system in the AFL is complete bollocks #AFLLionsDons
— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) June 10, 2018
Why score review when both field umpire and goal umpire call touched ball.... Can’t watch this.
— Mitch Robinson (@MitchRobinson05) June 10, 2018
Fortunately the game was all but decided at that point, but the goal review system continues to show its flaws.
The Bombers were able to run out 22-point winners, Stringer impressing with three goals and nine tackles.
John Worsfold's side had to do it without captain Dyson Heppell in the second half after he was bowled over by Luke Hodge.
Dyson Heppell and Luke Hodge have collided at the 'Gabba, and the Bombers captain has left the ground due to the blood rule.#AFLLionsDons pic.twitter.com/rq0wmR1C6a
— AFL (@AFL) June 10, 2018
