AFL: Everyone from fans to coaches have had their say about the quality of umpiring this season and the complaints aren’t likely to stop after the Tigers were the beneficiary of a questionable free kick.
A super soft free kick handed Richmond a goalSource:Supplied
The AFL 20-day extravaganza is underway, but the Western Bulldogs haven’t adjusted to playing on a Wednesday night.
Despite heading into the contest against Richmond as the favourites, the Bulldogs were swept off the park in the opening half.
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It was in the second quarter when the ugliness reached new heights for the Bulldogs as the Tigers royally cashed in.
As the Bulldogs attempted to exit their defensive 50, a down the field bump from Ed Richards on Richmond’s Dylan Grimes saw a free kick awarded at the location of the ball.
It meant Richmond’s Jake Aarts was gifted a shot on goal which he comfortably converted to extend the lead out to 34 points.
As a replay of the free kick began to roll, Richmond legend Matthew Richardson couldn’t believe the decision the umpires had made.
“Fair dinkum it’s a contact sport you’re allowed to run into each other a little bit on the ground,” Richardson said.
“Wow that is a big, big penalty for the Dogs,” Luke Darcy added.
You can watch the soft free kick in the video player above
Fans watching on were left incensed by the call to award Richmond the free kick from a minor bump that many believed Grimes had accentuated.
Free kick. ?♂️?♂️?♂️
That free kick against @westernbulldogs player Ed Richards might be one of the softest, most ridiculous frees in @AFL history someone drop that umpire next week #AFLDogsTigers
Diving AFL players take advantage of umpires like high school students do flustered substitute teachers. #AFL #AFLDogsTigers
That’s a free…. really? #AFLDogsTigers