Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says AFL score reviews are getting out of hand, with umpires relying too much on video to make a decision.
And Sanderson is also bewildered at the umpiring in Adelaide’s costly six-point loss to West Coast on Saturday night.
The Crows coach sat through some controversial score reviews in a defeat which all but ended Adelaide’s finals hopes – they’re now three wins outside the top eight.
Adelaide celebrated a Rory Sloane goal in the tense last quarter against the Eagles at AAMI Stadium, only for the score to be changed to a point on video evidence.
Crows defender Daniel Talia also claims to have touched a long-range soccer shot from Josh Hill which was given a goal on the quarter-time siren – a score upheld on review.
And Adelaide’s Jason Porplyzia soccered a goal in the third term which was also sent for review, despite appearing an obvious goal – which the review confirmed.
Sanderson says umpires are calling for video reviews as a safety measure.
“It’s getting a bit out of hand, I think, the score review,” Sanderson told reporters post-match.
“It deflates the game … I want to have a good look at it. Maybe because we lost the game I want to make an outlandish statement. But let me have a look at it.
“I know they’re trying … but probably tonight is not the right time to ask me about it.”
Sanderson also said he shared widespread confusion at the umpiring.
“A few times when the whistle went, I didn’t know what it was going to be. Ball up? Free kick?,” he said.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that.
“But it wasn’t the reason we lost … it wasn’t any umpiring decisions that hurt us.
“I know our fans were disappointed and a few times we scratch our head, but those boys are trying to make the right decisions.”