The AFL Has Ticked Off The Controversial Showdown Score Review

Tick of approval

Image: Fox Footy

The AFL has given the controversial score review in the dying moments of yesterday’s Showdown its tick of approval.

Crow Josh Jenkins’ snap on goal against Port was given the soft call of a goal, and went very close to the post on its way through.

Jenkins himself said he thought it was a point, but the score review didn’t overturn and the goal — which proved to be the winner in 13.18 (96) to 14.9 (93) result — stood.

The league released a statement clarifying the process surrounding the review of the goal last night.

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“The AFL advises this was the process below that was followed for the Official Score Review late in the fourth quarter of the round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide, played at Adelaide Oval earlier this evening.

After the Josh Jenkins (Adelaide Crows) shot at goal late in the fourth quarter, the goal umpire called for a score review and gave his preliminary decision as a goal.
After reviewing all relevant angles for 23 seconds, the score review official determined there was no clear evidence beyond reasonable doubt that the preliminary call of goal was incorrect, and hence a goal was confirmed.

It is the AFL determination that after accessing all relevant vision this evening, it supported the decision of the reviewer to confirm the goal umpire’s decision of a goal, with no clear evidence beyond reasonable doubt to make an over-rule."

The decision won’t help the mood of Port coach Ken Hinkley, who was furious after the game.

"The AFL, in a billion-dollar industry, can wreck seasons for football clubs," he said.

"If I was the AFL, I would be embarrassed and disappointed.”

Port Adelaide slipped out of the top four after the loss, with both GWS and Melbourne a chance to leapfrog them to push them down as far as seventh after the end of round 20.