Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has lashed out at the goal review system after Tom Lynch was denied a goal in the last quarter of their narrow elimination loss to Brisbane, but the AFL cleared the decision less than two hours after the final siren.
Lynch had what could have been a match-winning kick at goal overturned after it was adjudged to have gone over (and therefore hitting) the goal post late in the match.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick criticised the goal review system after the game.Credit:AFL Photos
In his post-match press conference, Hardwick said the technology was inadequate and called for goal umpires to be allowed to do their job.
“I just feel the technology’s not good enough. It hasn’t been for a long period of time. I think we’ve put a lot of money, and clearly it’s indecisive, still.
Tom Lynch had a goal overturned in the last quarter.Credit:AFL Photos
“We’ve got umpires. Pick which way you want to go … The technology is not to the level it needs to be, so either get it better or don’t have it.
“Why don’t we just let the umpires make the call? They’re paid to do a job. Either let them do a job, or don’t have them.”
But the AFL said in a statement: “the ARC [review bunker] reviewed all the camera angles and it is viewed as a definitive behind. The correct call was made.”
Despite his criticism of the review system, Hardwick felt the result summed up Richmond’s inconsistent season. “We were in the fight every game. I think we play a style of game that allows us to do that.
“But the fact of the matter is that the things that haunted us throughout the year haunted us again tonight. The fundamentals of the game weren’t good enough for long enough. That’s as harsh a lesson as the game will teach us.”
Hardwick brushed off continuing speculation about Dustin Martin’s future, reminding assembled media that he was still contracted for two years. “As far as I’m concerned, all the speculation comes from that side of the table. He’s not going anywhere.”
“The fact of the matter is, what we did see was a pretty good game of footy, and one side had to lose, and unfortunately that was us tonight.”
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan praised the spectacle.
“It was a brilliant game of football. Probably Richmond didn’t deserve to lose and neither did we,” he said.
“The AFL would have to be pretty happy with that as their first final, there’s not many better games of football that I’ve been involved in.”
The Lions were rocked early by the loss of ruckman Oscar McInerney. He will miss next week’s semi-final at a minimum as a result, under the league’s concussion protocols, and Fagan said the Lions would immediately recall back-up Darcy Fort.
The Lions, and Fagan, have been under immense pressure, with their record in finals under scrutiny.
“If ever there was a way to win a final and show that you were made of the right stuff, I think tonight showed that,” Fagan said.
“We looked probably gone a few times, and our players could easily have got disappointed with the Oscar injury so early in the game. It’s a pretty massive blow, he’s an important player to us.
“We lost Dan McStay early in the first final last year, and I felt like that affected us mentally. We talked about that during the pre-season … Tonight the boys kept playing, and I liked that about our effort.
“Finals often come down to what’s going on in your mind, to hang in there, even when things aren’t going well. We did that, so I’m really proud of our group tonight. It’s a step forward in their development.”
