- Brisbane Lions set Port Adelaide on fire with highest score in their history
- Including controversial goal in the third quarter against Cam Rayner
- AFL legend shocked by decision to award 50-metre free kick
Football fans were left stunned after an incident involving Brisbane Lions star Cameron Rayner against Port Adelaide on Saturday at Adelaide Oval.
The Lions scored a dozen consecutive goals in their highest-ever score against Port, winning 23.14 (152) to 10.13 (73) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
But there was a moment in the third quarter that left commentators stunned, when Brisbane were awarded a controversial 50-metre free kick despite Port Adelaide’s bewildered defender appearing to do nothing at all.
Rayner, 24, lost control of the ball midway through the third quarter and, while trying to recover the Sherrin, headbutted Port Adelaide’s Willem Drem, who was simply holding his ground.
Incredibly, Rayner was awarded a 50-metre free kick by the on-field referee.
Football fans were left stunned after an incident involving Brisbane Lions star Cameron Rayner (pictured right) against Port Adelaide on Saturday at Adelaide Oval.
Lions star Cameron Rayner (left) lost control of the ball and, while trying to recover the Sherrin, headbutted the home team’s Willem Drem (right), but was awarded the free kick.
He head-butted him! He headbutted Him!’ Stunned Hawks champion Dermott Brereton said in a comment.
‘How can a referee pay that as a free kick? “It’s a free kick that I feel sorry for,” he continued as the subsequent goal was scored.
‘That’s a ridiculous free kick. She crashed into him, head first. (Willem from Port Adelaide) Drew didn’t even move.
“Nothing is going well for Port.”
Rayner’s questionable free-kick capped a day to forget for Ken Hinkley’s men, whose top spot aspirations have now been thrown into doubt.
The emphatic 79-point victory comes as perfect timing for Brisbane, who are on the rise after a slow start to the game.
Cameron Rayner, pictured attacking Port Adelaide’s Logan Evans, was gifted a goal for the referee’s decision to award a 50 meter penalty for the incident with Willem Drew.
The Lions’ Eric Hipwood (pictured) had a day off and scored five goals against Port Adelaide.
Eric Hipwood was the star, scoring five goals for the visiting team in a one-sided match.
Port, who lost x-factor Willie Rioli (calf) before the game, meekly retired as the Lions charged and failed to score a goal for about 45 minutes.
Vice-captain Zak Butters (35 touches, eight clearances) and captain Connor Rozee (28 possessions) found few effective allies in the Power’s fourth defeat in seven games.
Forward Mitch Georgiades scored three goals as Port crashed to an unwanted record: their previous biggest loss to the Lions was by 69 points in 2006.
Port Adelaide will take on St Kilda next week at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.