Gold Coast have voiced concerns about the AFL’s new ball-tracking technology following a costly error in their three-point loss to Collingwood on Friday.
The Suns have requested a “demonstration and explanation” of the new initiative, after the league acknowledged the ball-tracking technology, brought in for AFLW this season, incorrectly registered a touch off the boot of Gold Coast’s Jamie Stanton.
Gold Coast’s Jamie Stanton had a goal incorrectly overturned.Credit: AFL Photos
Stanton’s snap, which was initially ruled a goal by the on-field umpire, was overturned by the score assist official, whom the AFL said “viewed one angle of vision that aligned” with the ball-tracking technology.
The incident occurred five minutes into the second quarter, leading to confusion from fans and players.
“The official at the ground should not have overturned the on-field umpires’ decision, and we understand the possibility for human error whether that be by umpires, officials, coaches, or players,” Suns chief executive Mark Evans said.
“We are, however, more concerned with the ball-tracking technology incorrectly recording the ball was touched.
“Given the potential impact on the outcome of games, it’s important for us to understand the technology and process for overturning scores.”
An AFL spokesperson said “this was a case of human error”.
“The protocols for overturning a decision require that it must be conclusive that the ball and vision align,” the spokesperson said.
“The ball-tracking technology incorrectly recorded that the ball was touched after the kick, which can occur rarely as the ball continuously improves and gathers further data.
“The score assist official at the ground viewed one angle of vision that aligned with the ball so intervened to overturn the decision to award a goal.
“Subsequently, further vision angles were viewed at half-time that whilst available, weren’t inspected at the time of the review, which showed the decision to overturn was incorrect.”
The match continued a difficult start to the season for the Suns, who remain winless in 2024, while it marked Collingwood’s first victory of the year.
The new “score assist” smart ball technology was introduced into the AFLW this year, with AFL football manager Laura Kane stating that it would bring a new level of accuracy to the game.
The technology inside the ball detects if it crosses the goal line, hits the post or is touched in flight.
“The smart-ball technology and system works in a different way to our current [review] system [used in the men’s competition], instead, it will provide information in real-time fashion alerting our score assist officials if required, who will then communicate with our umpires,” Kane said ahead of the season’s start.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
