Re: AFL Rd 4 2024 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Fremantle
Reply #33 –
I'm not sure that you could rely on phone camera footage from the length of the ground. The Freo players were claiming that the ball touched Aish's head, Fyfe claimed that he had touched the ball off George's boot and the TV commentators thought that the ball could have brushed Aish's hair. Either way, umpires often miss touched balls that are more obvious than that one and it goes some way towards making up for some of the dodgy frees Freo got.
The thing is that we kept our numbers around the contest while Freo players were waiting for a handball receive and left Fyfe trying to beat four players. Cripps did what he so often does and Williams capped it off with a touch of brilliance and daring and an equally brilliant effort from Charlie to mark and goal. Then, after two drawn ball ups, Cripps sent De Koning away and sucked Jackson into an attacking hitout that ended up with Hewett - game over! Cottrell's fundamental forward work - play in front - was critical too. You make your own luck in footy!
I'm more than comfortable in calling a spade a spade with the benefit of hindsight (replays that are official or otherwise) and say it was touched (on Aish's arm). Having said that, there is no way in hell an umpire would see that or call it so play on was the correct call. As for calling the ump a cheat, if true you're gone for dissent every day of the week and twice on Sundays so fair call for that also.