AFL: The Kangaroos had a chance to take the lead heading into the final term until Jasper Pittard gave away one of the dumbest free kicks of the season.
North Melbourne’s Jasper Pittard denied his club the chance to take the lead after a monumental brain fade, which was dubbed “absolute stupidity”.Source:News Corp Australia
North Melbourne star Jasper Pittard has come under fire for giving away a potentially game-changing free kick during Saturday’s clash against Carlton in Brisbane.
Pittard denied his side the opportunity to take the lead into the final break, his “dumb” error proving a critical moment in the round eight encounter.
Just before the third quarter siren sounded at the Gabba, midfielder Trent Dumont chipped the Sherrin towards teammate Jared Polec, who claimed a classy mark in front of the goalposts, about 35 metres out.
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North Melbourne were behind by just five points at the time, and a major would have put the club in front for the first time during the contest.
Although a mark had already been awarded, Pittard steamed in and viciously pushed Carlton’s Marc Murphy to the floor.
Jasper Pittard deserves a tongue lashing from Shaw. Roos would’ve led at 3/4 time but Pittard reversed the free kick. Absolute stupidity. #AFLNorthBlues
That’s horrendous from Jasper Pittard. He wouldn’t want the Roos to lose by a goal. #AFLRoosBlues
The push to the chest, not high. Oh boy. That ain’t a free, as silly as Pittard was for even going there. @7AFL
It was a wild and seemingly unprompted shove, and the umpire immediately reversed his decision, ending the quarter in bizarre circumstances.
Veteran forward Eddie Betts couldn’t resist offering some cheeky words of advice as the players waltzed off the field.
Four-time premiership player Jason Dunstall ripped into Pittard for his “fake aggression”.
“That’s just dumb from Jasper Pittard,” Dunstall said on Fox Footy.
“This is where I just hate this aggression; it’s fake aggression. You’ve got a teammate having a shot for goal.”
Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis agreed: “You just hope that does not cost you come the end of the game … It doesn’t prove anything.”
Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson agreed: “That’s just dumb from Jasper Pittard.”
Four-time premiership player Jason Dunstall added: “There’s just no need to do that.”
The Kangaroos had scored the three previous majors before the incident, and Pittard’s error ended a superb passage of play for the club.
After the match, North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw admitted Pittard’s free kick was a turning point.
“Jasper showed a lack of discipline and it’s cost us,” Shaw said.
“He’s a leader and he knows he was in the wrong. We’ll leave it at that.”
Carlton registered their fourth win of the season on Saturday.Source:Getty Images
North Melbourne were trailing by 22 points during the third quarter, but dominated the final ten minutes to get themselves back in the contest.
Despite a gritty final 16 minutes, the Kangaroos were unable to muster the much-needed win in rainy conditions, the final scoreline reading 9.10 (64) to 9.3 (57).
Pittard contributed 11 disposals, four marks and a goal during North Melbourne’s sixth consecutive loss. Bailey Scott slotted a match-high three majors, while Pollock also starred for the Kangaroos, managing 25 disposals, four marks and a goal.
Saturday’s win pushes Carlton up to ninth spot on the AFL ladder, while North Melbourne remain in 17th position.
Next weekend, Carlton will take on the Hawthorn Hawks in Perth, while the Kangaroos travel to the Gold Coast to face the struggling Adelaide Crows.