Footage proves Adelaide Crows were ripped off by a referee who disallowed a goal that would have saved their season against the Swans
- Ben Keays thought he had scored with 80 seconds left
- The goal umpire ruled the ball hit the post to prevent Ravens from winning
- The official did not request a video review of the decision
Footage of what should have been a winning goal by Adelaide star Ben Keays conclusively proves the Crows were ripped off by the goal referee who ruled it was a behind.
With 80 seconds left, Adelaide’s Ben Keays celebrated what he thought was a goal that put the Crows ahead against Sydney.
But the goal umpire awarded a behind, signaling the ball had hit the post – but he didn’t ask for a video review and replays later showed Keays’ kick was a goal.
Sydney’s 74-73 victory ends the Crow’s chances of making the final this year, but Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says his players have no choice but to quickly overcome a controversial goal referee decision in a one-point loss to Sydney.
Replays from multiple angles proved the ball failed to hit the post or padding, meaning Adelaide’s chances in the final are down to a shocking error.
Jubilation turned to despair for Ben Keays (centre), his teammates and Crows fans when the goal umpire refused to check his shot with a video review
The Crows are seeking an explanation please from the AFL after the controversial end to Saturday night’s thriller in Adelaide, but the league has no intention of overturning the decision or the result of the match, according to the sun herald.
“I can’t tell you if it was a goal or not,” Nicks said.
“What I can tell you, from what I understand, is that we review those moments, especially at the end of games.
“We just trust the process now. So, as a football club and as a coach, that’s all we can do.
Even though the AFL admitted a refereeing error, the result will stand and the Crows’ final aspirations remain over.
The 13th-seeded side have two wins outside the top eight with one game to go, a trip away to play on the struggling West Coast.
Major de Keays should have kept Adelaide’s season alive – now the AFL reportedly have no intention of overturning the decision or the result of the game
“As we have done every week, we are licking our wounds and preparing for next week,” Nicks said.
‘This year our improvement, our development, has been off the charts.
“We’re sitting up there offensively as number one in the competition with our scoring.
“We are improving in defense if we want to be great we have to keep improving.
“The last thing we do now is take our eyes off the ball and not finish the season.”
