AFL Goal Review System Under Fire: Brisbane and Collingwood Matches Criticized for Overuse

The excessive use of the AFL’s goal review system has come under fire once more, especially during Brisbane and Collingwood’s Round 3 opening.

Due to a “mountain of indecision,” the first quarter of Round 2’s Adelaide vs. Geelong match lasted 37 minutes. Any potentially contentious calls were sent to the ARC for review.

Although just six goals were scored in the first quarter of the Grand Final rematch, the trend continued for the whole thirty-three-minute game.

The umpires have asked for a review far more frequently in trying to prevent mistakes similar to the one that occurred in Adelaide’s loss to Sydney the previous year, when the goal review procedure was not followed correctly and possibly cost the Crows a postseason berth. 

This is unclear whether or not they acted on their own initiative or after receiving formal instructions from their higher-ups.

But this takes time, and because every goal is supposed to be evaluated when it gets back to the center bounce, a number of coaches and former players expressed their displeasure with this situation.

Brisbane’s Cam Rayner scored the game’s first goal, and it was looked into to find out if it hit the goalpost. Even though there was a good deal of room between the ball and the post, this was nevertheless done.

Commentators Slam AFL Goal Review Delays

After he observed the scale of the deficit, Seven commentator Brian Taylor said, “Aww, come on.”

Luke Hodge, a former player for Hawthorn, continued, “This is why the ball should be going back to the middle.

“When the ball goes back, every goal gets reviewed, that’s what should be done. So we just wasted 30 seconds.” Well, it seems like we’ve just lost half a minute of our time.

Jamie Elliott of Collingwood got the next goal, which was undoubtedly closer, but because of the ball’s speed and rotation, it was hard to determine how near it was to the post. Instead, it was necessary to check the Ultra Edge, but there was no spike.

It took another thirty or so seconds to announce the winner.

James Brayshaw stated, “This (last) Friday night in Adelaide was way too much.”

“And those first two, the Rayner goal in particular I’m not sure how you’re sending that up?”

“Petrified of making mistakes,” Brian Taylor answered.