The Crows Ask for a Revamp of the Score Review System

The Adelaide Crows’ hopes of reaching the final series were ended by an impressive performance by the Sydney Swans and a controversial goal-line call in the dying minutes of the match. As you might expect, it was the latter that got all the attention in the post-match coverage, which is not surprising considering the financial hit for the club is estimated to be in the six-figure region.

The Crows are Seeking a Compensation Package

The AFL decided against awarding a goal to Ben Keays in one of the final plays of the match against fellow playoff hopefuls, the Sydney Swans. The Crows had to win the game if they were to reach the AFL post-season, but the controversial decision ruled them out of the AFL finals and reignited the debate on protocols for AFL goal-line reviews.

Crows chairman John Olsen wasn’t impressed with the call, saying it was an “appalling inexcusable injustice.” He condemned the decision which he described as “a loss not only on the field but off the field as well.” The chairman said that if something like that happened in a grand final, it would be terrible for the reputation of the league.

Olsen claimed the club was talking with the AFL over a potential compensation for the error. The redress ranges from transfer concessions to travel benefits and a more favourable fixture list for the Crows.

The Whole System Should Be Reviewed Says Crows Chairman

The Crows and the Swans played one of the tightest games of the season and with only a minute and 18 seconds on the clock, the Crows were behind by two. The crowd and Keays thought that changed when the Crows’ midfielder snapped a free kick from the boundary.

Unfortunately, officials ruled that the ball had hit the post and awarded the Crows a solitary point. Replays showed that the ball didn’t touch the post, but there was no score review called for the play. The Crows lost and are going to miss out on the final series for the sixth season in a row.

Olsen couldn’t explain why there was no score review called for Keays’ goal and urged the league to reconsider how the rule was implemented. The Crows chairman asked the AFL to review “the whole system,” and called for field umpires to intervene when any umpire makes a mistake and even if the play had continued.