Zorko reacts to controversial GF benefit as caller laments ‘flat out mistaken’ name
Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko believes the contentious umpiring resolution to name benefit deep within the final quarter of the grand remaining was ‘a bit robust’, saying there was ‘no approach’ teammate Zac Bailey may have heard the unique whistle.
The Lions had been awarded a free kick simply exterior 50 when Lachie Neale was tripped up by Collingwood’s Oleg Markov, just for the umpire to name play on when Bailey rapidly kicked ahead below heavy strain, unaware that the free had been paid.
The Magpies had been capable of repel and maintain on for a four-point win, however talking on SEN Q, Zorko described the decision as ‘extraordinary’.
“I used to be in good line with the umpire, and I imply, it was extraordinary on condition that they hadn’t paid a bonus all day,” he mentioned.
“I assumed it was a bit robust… I heard that there’s been a number of headlines round Zac figuring out that it was [a free kick] and that he shouldn’t have taken the benefit – he had no thought.
“I imply, he was getting wrangled across the neck on the time that his foot hit the ball.
“It [the crowd noise] was so loud and deafening. It was solely the truth that I’d seen the umpire visually pay the free kick and blow the whistle that I knew it was a free kick. But it surely was so loud, there’s no approach he may have heard it as a participant.
“It was simply phenomenal, however it’s what it’s.”
Zorko’s response comes amid furore from the footy world over the non-decision, with former teammate Tom Rockliff taking to X to proclaim the Lions had been ‘robbed’.
Talking on SEN’s Whateley, distinguished AFL commentator Gerard Whateley agreed, labelling the choice ‘flat out mistaken’.
“There needs to be an intent to assert benefit and Bailey had no such intent. He scrambled a kick with no information the whistle had been blown,” Whateley mentioned.
“The umpire’s obligation was to recall the ball and let Neale take the free kick, which he had earned.
“We’ll by no means know what might need occurred.”
Following Bailey’s kick, a Darcy Moore spoil noticed the ball spill to Nick Daicos, who rapidly handed to Will Hoskin-Elliott to regain possession for Collingwood.
The Lions would by no means threaten to attain once more, with Tom Mitchell profitable a free kick for top contact shortly after and making certain the Pies would run out the clock.
The Lions had been additionally made to rue conceding objectives after the quarter time and half time sirens to the Magpies, the previous to Jordan De Goey and the latter to Jack Crisp, that likewise proved essential in deciding the outcome.
