Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says he’s not dwelling on an apology from the AFL umpiring coach for a wrong call.

Umpiring coach Jeff Gieschen apologised to Sanderson for a controversial umpiring mistake which went against the Crows in their 11-point loss to Hawthorn last Saturday.

Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson was incorrectly penalised for pushing when he took a mark within scoring range in the last quarter.

A Thompson goal would have put Adelaide seven points in front. Instead they conceded the next four goals and lost.

“We didn’t get the four (premiership) points when they admitted it was a mistake,” Sanderson told reporters on Thursday.

“It wasn’t the reason we lost the game … if Thompson kicks the goal we’re seven points up, but it was a free kick that didn’t go our way.”

Sanderson sought clarification about umpire interpretations and now would “just get on with it”.

“Our players are really clear about what is a free kick and what is not,” he said.

“But what threw them out a bit was the Thompson decision. But then the AFL were quick to admit that was a mistake and shouldn’t have been a free kick.

“They will do their best to pay free kicks when they’re obvious but there’s always going to be the greyness when they got one wrong, I certainly accept that.

“We’re not going to audit the AFL umpires after every decision. But I know they’re looking at themselves to become a bit more consistent with the rule.”

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said there was confusion about free kicks in marking contests.

“I don’t think we’re totally clear on what is allowed and what is not,” Hinkley told reporters on Thursday.