AFL remains silent on controversial referee decisions in Essendon’s defeat to Geelong

The AFL has left fans baffled after deciding not to publicly explain a series of controversial decisions in Geelong’s win over Essendon on Saturday night.

Throughout this season, AFL general manager of football Laura Kane has offered explanations for controversial weekend referee calls.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: AFL remains silent on controversial umpire calls.

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In April they admitted a referee made an error in not awarding Adelaide a free kick after Essendon ruck Sam Draper dove on the ball in the final seconds of the Round 6 thriller.

And two weeks ago, Kane came out and clarified the hugely controversial decision not to award North Melbourne a 50-metre penalty in the final minute against Collingwood.

But Bombers fans waiting for an explanation to Saturday night’s controversy shouldn’t hold their breath.

Trailing by three points early in the third quarter, Draper didn’t get a free throw as he appeared to have his arms cut off by an onrushing Zach Tuohy.

The Cats scored a goal immediately afterwards, then added another when Jye Menzie was criticized for deliberately rushing a player behind. as you can see in the video above.

Many expected the AFL to clarify the decisions on Monday, but 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said the league had decided not to comment publicly.

“They will continue to inform clubs in the future… but privately admit they will limit themselves when they do so and will not clarify decisions,” Cleary added.

This deliberate haste seems to deserve an explanation, given the rarity of this type of free kick.

“It’s a confusing decision that results in a Dempsey goal, and this place is about to explode,” Alister Nicholson said in commentary on Channel 7.

“To me it looked like Menzie had every right to pass the ball. Dempsey would have been, I think, three metres at the most behind him when he ran after him.

Her co-commentators were desperate for a replay, and Collingwood championship winner Daisy Thomas made her views clear afterwards.

“It’s an incorrect decision by the referee,” Thomas said.

After the match, Essendon coach Brad Scott appeared to refer to the incidents.

“We clearly lost momentum in the third quarter due to a series of unfortunate events,” Scott said.

“We just had a patch there where we lost complete control of the game.

“It can happen because of various factors… what disappoints me the most is that we lost the momentum, then the composure and we could not regain it.

“The only thing you can do is control your response and our response has been really disappointing.

“It was a step backwards in that area for us, which has been very good so far this year.”

Essendon remain fourth on the ladder ahead of Friday night’s monster clash with Collingwood.

The Magpies are also coming off a defeat after losing to Gold Coast by 11 points.

The rivals played out a thrilling draw in their last Anzac Day meeting.

After a blistering start to the season, Essendon are determined to build on their aim of ending the club’s infamous 20-year drought since their last grand final win.

– With PAA

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