Richmond Tigers v St Kilda Saints: Goal review rules controversial rushed behind

Tom Naghten

Richmond Tigers v St Kilda Saints: Goal review rules controversial rushed behind image

Richmond may well demand an explanation from the AFL during the week after Jack Higgins was denied a goal for a rushed behind which viewers and commentators thought had crossed the line.

With the Tigers up by 14 points midway through the third term, Higgins looked like he had extended their lead with a long goal.

Saints ruckman Tom Hickey touched the ball as it crossed the line and it was sent upstairs for a score review, with the goal umpire saying he believed it was a goal.

MORE: St Kilda's Jack Carlisle in trouble for 'dog shot' on Jack Riewoldt

The first replay was inconclusive, Hickey appearing to touch the ball right as it crossed the line.

A second angle from the other goal post looked like giving Higgins his first goal of the game until the decision flashed on the big screen.

Check out the video below.

The commentary team on Fox Footy were left questioning whether the right decision was made.

"I reckon that the score review only saw that first view that we got that looked like it was touched on the line," Eddie McGuire said during the call.

"But when you went to that other angle you realise the hands were there but it hadn't touched the ball."

Paul Roos also didn't think there was conclusive evidence to overrule the goal umpire's original decision.

"The goal umpire called a goal so it has to be irrefutable evidence," Roos said.

"This is the problem with two-dimensional views." McGuire added.

Fans at home were less diplomatic in their thoughts.


 



 


 

Whether the decision was correct or not didn't bother the Saints as they kicked the next four goals to take the lead over their highly-fancied opponents.

It didn't take Richmond long to snap out, replying with four goals of their own to wrestle back the ascendancy.

 

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.