The AFL should be embarrassed by a “monumental mistake” that gifted Adelaide a controversial three-point win, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says.
Adelaide forward Josh Jenkins admits umpires erred by awarding him a match-winning goal in a nerve-jangling 13.18 (96) to 14.9 (93) win against Port on Saturday.
Jenkins’ snap shot was given a goal after a video review, giving the Crows the lead with two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the Adelaide Oval thriller.
“My grandma raised me not to tell fibs. I think it hit the post,” Jenkins told Fox Sports.
Port boss Hinkley said the incorrect decision was a “massive failure by the AFL”.
“The AFL, in a billion-dollar industry, can wreck seasons for football clubs that work too hard,” Hinkley said.
“If I was the AFL, I would be embarrassed and disappointed.
” … To lose that one, that way – I don’t want to be seen as a sore loser but in an industry that is about getting it right, we didn’t get it right.”
Adelaide coach Don Pyke maintained he wasn’t watching the video review process.
“When you win by under a goal, I always say there’s a bit of luck involved … but you take it when you get it,” Pyke said.
The decision has immense ramifications for both clubs: Adelaide remain in the finals race while Port slip from the top four.
Jenkins booted three goals as Adelaide came from 13 points down in the last quarter to steal victory.
Adelaide midfielder Bryce Gibbs was among the best afield in his 250th AFL game, collecting 29 disposals.
His teammate Rory Sloane was superb with two goals and 26 touches while Matt Crouch (35 possessions), emerging star Wayne Milera (22 disposals) and Rory Atkins (19 disposals) were prominent.
Port’s Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard booted four goals each and Jared Polec (24 possessions) was a standout for the unlucky losers.
Before a 50,377-strong crowd, both teams scored 5.3 in the breakneck opening quarter, with Adelaide’s Jenkins scoring two and Port’s second-gamer Kane Farrell slotting three.
The attacking trend continued in the second stanza as Wingard and Gray scored majors to craft a nine-point halftime lead for the Power.
Scoring dried up in a torrid third term as Adelaide slowly made ground, creeping within one point at three quarter-time.
Port’s triple club champion Gray and the brilliant Wingard added further late goals before Adelaide’s late charge with a goal from Eddie Betts followed by the controversial decider from Jenkins.