The AFL's score review system again came under heavy fire on Saturday night when a goal was overturned, possibly costing Adelaide a place in the finals series.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Players from both sides thought it was a goal, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick thought it was a goal, and the umpires thought the same when the ball was returned for a centre bounce after Adelaide's Rory Sloane appeared to sneak the ball through at the 29-minute mark of the third term.
However, the goal was reviewed and it was deemed the ball had touched the post.
The key factor that has again brought the system under question was the fact the same camera set-up was not in place as at other grounds in Melbourne, and many believed because the decision was inconclusive it should have stayed as a goal as determined by the goal umpire.
Adelaide lost by 10 points, including a goal with 53 seconds remaining when Richmond's Dustin Martin appeared to clearly push an opponent in the back and ran into an open goal.
However, Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson refused to enter the post-match argument, claiming he was sure the AFL would work on it during the summer.
"I am sure that we are getting a system that is efficient and effective," Sanderson said. "It's one for the AFL to have a look at and not for one for me to comment on at this stage."
Hardwick agreed the review system itself needed a review, but added few could deny it was not easy for the umpires.
"I think in our view we thought it was a goal," he said, referring to Sloane's kick. "I wasn't too disappointed that it got overturned.
"But this is not my concern. From my point of view, there are bigger fish to fry than that."
Sanderson said Adelaide lost because Richmond showed it was the better side. It had 15 minutes of fame - or quality football - but other than that he conceded the Tigers were superior.
Hardwick was full of praise for his men and claimed this win rated among his best as a coach.
"To come here to a hostile environment, we were headed in the last quarter, and for our guys to dig deep was nothing short of outstanding," he said.
It was the seventh straight win for the Tigers who are now eyeing the finals, but Hardwick produced the obvious line; that they were looking at what they were doing right now. He spoke in glowing terms of the entire club from turning a 3-10 start to the season to being the hottest team in town, but added the challenge was not over.
"We knew that if we continued to work hard the wheel would turn," Hardwick said. "From our point of view it's all about positive energy.
"I am incredibly proud of our football club, the way they have battled against the odds to get us back into a position to play (finals), which is really important for our fans.
"We have hung tough. We just have to continue to win games to get this reward. We have been playing some good footy; we have beaten some really good sides.
"There is no better place to win than interstate. We will enjoy the win; we will build on it. This was out best win for the season, especially having been headed."
