Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has blasted the AFL’s objective overview know-how which controversially denied his facet victory within the pulsating elimination ultimate.
Up by three over Brisbane with two minutes to play on Thursday, the objective umpire gave a “smooth” name of a objective to Tom Lynch’s angled set shot earlier than it was despatched upstairs for overview.
The replay appeared to indicate the Tiger’s snap sailed straight over the publish to be awarded a behind.
As a substitute of being forward by 9, the decision saved the match alive earlier than the Lions superior to the opposite finish of the Gabba for Joe Daniher to steal it with 64 seconds left.
Hardwick was incensed on the name by the AFL Assessment Centre, indicating the replay wasn’t definitive sufficient to overturn the choice.
“I simply really feel the know-how shouldn’t be adequate and hasn’t been for a very long time,” he mentioned. “Clearly it is indecisive nonetheless.”
Even Lions coach Chris Fagan admitted he was uncertain which manner the decision would go.
Whereas Lynch, who slotted three straight earlier earlier than lacking two within the ultimate quarter, did not have fun like he’d kicked it, Hardwick downplayed that as an element.
“The entire thing is the know-how is to not the extent the place it must be. So both get it higher or do away with it,” he mentioned.
The triple premiership coach reiterated he’d by no means been a fan of the ARC and felt that except the system was good, the objective umpires ought to be the only arbiter.
“Why do not we simply let the umpire make the decision,” he mentioned.
“They’re paid to do a job – allow them to do it.”
Richmond threatened to blow the ultimate open a number of occasions by way of a match which had 17 lead modifications.
Though pleased with the hassle, Hardwick lamented turnovers from “elementary” errors and one other hamstring harm to gun midfielder Dion Prestia simply earlier than halftime.
Hardwick felt Prestia’s expensive loss affected the stability of his facet, forcing Dustin Martin into the midfield greater than they’d want.
“That (defeat) in all probability sums up our 12 months,” he mentioned.
“We simply made some fallacious selections … and we simply weren’t clear sufficient with our abilities.”
