Eade to issue AFL ‘please explain’

Gold Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade says he will complain to AFL umpires boss Wayne Campbell over the “one way” officiating in their 37-point loss to Port Adelaide.

Eade bemoaned the treatment dished out to his young forwards Charlie Dixon and Tom Lynch by Port after Saturday night’s 12.16 (88) to 7.9 (51) defeat.

“It was one way, I thought,” Eade said of the umpiring, despite the Gold Coast winning the free kick count 26-24 in their final home game.

“I would certainly like some of our forwards to get protection at times, that would be handy.

“I think I might talk to Wayne Campbell during the week about that.

“It’s best for me to not comment too much.”

Young forward Lynch may come under scrutiny after a halftime melee erupted at a rain soaked Metricon Stadium.

Tempers flared after the Suns’ Brandon Matera’s hard tackle on Angus Monfries moments before the halftime siren.

Lynch swooped in to aid Matera in the ensuing trouble and could be seen throwing punches at Port’s Cam O’Shea.

Power’s Jasper Pittard then appeared to throw punches at Lynch as players wrestled in the soggy all-in.

In the scuffle, Lynch had his guernsey pulled off and thrown into the crowd.

Eade complimented Lynch for arriving at Matera’s aid.

However, he added: “He just has to be disciplined at times.

“But Tom is the sort of bloke who will support his teammates.”

Asked about the halftime trouble, Port coach Ken Hinkley said: “The boys were saying Lynchy was getting a bit grumpy.

“But I think there was the right spirit in the contest.

“That’s what happens when you play contested football.”

Eade admitted the Suns were wilting under the weight of their heavy injury toll but had no excuses after Port moved to their fifth win in six games.

“There was half a dozen players I was really disappointed in that didn’t give a yelp,” he said.

“They were harder at the contest than us. I just don’t think we were bold in anything we did.”

The Gold Coast’s injury list may get longer with Clay Cameron (concussion), Aaron Hall (back) and Harley Bennell (calf) to be monitored ahead of their season-ending clash with Sydney next weekend.

Port target Dixon kicked three goals for the Suns after returning from another ankle injury.

The Power are favourites to nab the off contract Dixon’s signature.

But asked if he needed Dixon based on what he saw on Saturday night, Hinkley said: “Silly question, next one please.”

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