It was the contentious no-call that effectively decided Friday night’s Essendon-Adelaide classic and had everybody talking – everybody except Crows coach Matthew Nicks.
In the last play of the match, coming on the back of a plethora of repeat entries from the Crows, Bombers ruckman Sam Draper hurled his large frame on top of the ball which had spilled loose after Taylor Walker sharked Reilly O’Brien’s tap and tried to free the footy.
Crows players react with frustration after a holding the ball decision was not paid.Credit: Fox Footy
As the siren sounded, Draper was still lying stomach-down on the ball, Adelaide players’ pleading in vain for a holding-the-ball decision.
“I’m not going to make a comment around umpiring,” Nicks deadpanned. “That’ll just add to the night.”
Extraordinarily, it is the third time in less than 10 months that the Crows have controversially been denied potential victories by last-minute umpiring decisions.
The AFL admitted error after Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson wasn’t awarded a late free kick at goal after being collected high by Jamie Elliott in a two-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG last June.
The league then apologised after a Bean Keays goal deep into the fourth quarter was called a behind without a score review as the Crows suffered a one-point defeat against Sydney in round 23, killing off their finals hopes.
The Crows react with disappointment.Credit: James Elsby / AFL Photos / Getty Images
While Nicks opted to shoulder arms, Essendon counterpart Brad Scott played a straight bat.
“(With) masses of numbers around the ball, there are a lot of holding-the-ball decisions, for and against throughout the night,” the Bombers boss said.
“We’ll obviously focus on the one in the last couple of seconds … But I can show you a couple of others too if you’d like.”
Midfielder Jye Caldwell was madly trying to put a body on emerging Crows star Jake Soligo during that late scramble but backed the umpire’s call not to ping Draper.
“I’m going to say ‘no’ (free kick) because it’s my team,” said Caldwell, who shone with his two-way midfield run, collecting 26 disposals and 10 tackles.
“The umpires have to be consistent with it, but it’s pretty hard for them in that pressure situation.
“When you’re fighting in your defensive-50, trying to not let them score a goal, it’s pretty nerve-wracking.
“But those are the moments you want to be in. If you grab those moments, you build such good connection and trust late in games.”
The Bombers enter their Anzac Day blockbuster against Collingwood riding a two-game winning streak and feeling they owe the Magpies one after last year.
“We probably should have won last year, being up by 29 points at three-quarter-time,” Caldwell said.
“It’s a six-day break, so we don’t have long for it.
Scott, gearing up to coach his second Essendon-Collingwood April 25 clash, says the marquee fixture is as big as a major final.
“Anzac Day is an unbelievable privilege, it’s a unique game,” he said. “I knew it was huge, but last year I was blown away.
“I’ve been really fortunate in my AFL life to be a part of some really big games and finals and grand finals. Anzac Day is out on its own.”
“We’re privileged to be able to put ourselves in a finals-like atmosphere, at round seven against the reigning premier. What an opportunity.”
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