Just three weeks ago, the Adelaide Crows were robbed of their chance to play in the AFL finals because of the scoring system.
Now footy fans have said karma has come back to bite the Sydney Swans who were knocked out of the AFL final by Carlton after two controversial reviews in the 11.8 (74) to 9.14 defeat ( 68).
Adelaide’s Ben Keays scored a goal in the dying seconds of their match against Sydney on the penultimate day of the regular season, but was given a behind despite criticism showing he went through the sticks.
But the goal referee signaled that the ball had hit the post and did not call for video viewing.
On Friday night, the Swans were on the wrong side of the ledger when it came to video review decisions.
Longmire has been on both sides of the goal review system and says the AFL needs to improve the technology
Blues winger Blake Acres made two desperate attempts during the match – including in the decisive final quarter – to get his hands on the goal attempts.
Each time he was judged to have touched the ball and cost the Swans a goal.
Longmire had to fume over the decisions, especially the second one which didn’t seem conclusive upon review, although the soft call on the field was late.
Asked if he thought the AFL’s controversial scoring system was working, Longmire bluntly replied “clearly not”.
“We threw 2.5 in the last quarter – that makes a difference in those moments too,” he said in his press conference.
“We have to make the most of our chances.
Sydney launched a huge second-half comeback against the Blues but fell just short at the MCG on Friday night.
It means the Swans’ season is over, just weeks after a controversial goal review decision during a match in Sydney cost Adelaide their season.
“(Accuracy) is an important statistic in football – talk to Leigh Matthews,” he continued, referring to the champion coach’s theory of goals and minutes.
“At the end of the day, you have to take your chances. Unfortunately, we just didn’t take advantage of the opportunities we could have had.
“When I’m on the bench, you don’t get to see replays like you media guys sitting in the press box,” he said.
“I didn’t know – I don’t know, I still haven’t seen it.”
Longmire added that he wants to see the technology reviewed and improved.
You’d like to think so (that technology will improve),” he said.
“We’ve been on both sides of the fence, haven’t we?
“We spend quite a bit of effort to get it right.”
For many footy fans, it was a justified way for the Swans’ season to end after only reaching the final due to the controversial decision in the Crows match.
“Score review wasn’t a problem a few weeks ago and now Johnny Boy thinks it’s not good enough,” one football fan posted on social media.
“I’m not one for karma etc but I’m struggling to find sympathy for Sydney with these goal critiques,” added another.
“Goal ratings aren’t going Sydney’s way, damn it’s a shame,” was another’s sarcastic comment.
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Commentators were divided on whether Acres’ second touch had the most impact on the result.
‘Wow. I’m not sure there’s a glove on it,” James Brayshaw said.
“They already feel they were a bit stiff with one (Sydney).
“I don’t see any evidence that this ball was hit.”
Richmond great Matthew Richardson said the soft call of a behind was the deciding factor.
“However, it’s going to be difficult to overrule the referee.
“Could you categorically reject this? Damn, that would be a courageous call.
“I don’t think you can undo it.
“It’s too vague to be definitive.”
