Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick believes umpires paid crucial free kicks due to the Geelong crowd behaving like a “Roman Colosseum” in the Suns’ thumping loss against the Cats.
The Suns gave up seven unanswered goals after leading by 12 points late in the first quarter at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night to slump to a third-straight defeat.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Damien Hardwick slams umpires in Cats clash
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Rather than address Gold Coast’s concerning form, that could have them sitting as low as 10th by the end of the round, Hardwick honed in on key umpiring decisions late in the second term.
The triple Richmond premiership coach exploded in the box when Geelong star Jeremy Cameron was awarded what one commentator described as two “reasonably soft” free kicks before halftime.
“It was like the Roman Colosseum,” Hardwick said when asked about his frustrations bubbling over.
“I reckon they (the umpires) were waiting for the crowd to do this one (thumb down) then, all of a sudden, free kick.
“At the end of the day it is what it is, home-ground advantage, we understand that, we know you’re up against it from the start, but a couple of them weren’t there.”
Hardwick admitted umpiring was not what lost the Suns the game, but did say the lasso rule should be changed if the ball accidentally came off a boot.
“I think it’s a ridiculous look where the ball accidentally trickles off a guy’s toe that’s been hit into; it’s not as if he’s deliberately trying to kick it out of bounds,” Hardwick said.
“This is not the reason we won or lost.
“They (the AFL) change a lot of things, just change that.”
However, fans quickly turned on Hardwick, who has a reputation for having a rant in post-match press conferences.
Umpires were in the spotlight on Friday night, but some questionable decisions went against both teams.
Geelong fans were particularly aggrieved when Ollie Dempsey took a mark in the goalsquare but a dubious free kick went against him.
Geelong star Max Holmes was also unhappy when a 50m penalty went against him and gave Matt Rowell an easy goal.
“My gosh he can sook,” one fan said of Hardwick.
“I hope he was happy to admit the mark from Dempsey one metre out from from goal that was 100 per cent not a push in the back should have been paid a mark… we’ll wait, shall we Dimma?”
And another: “Hardwick’s a sook … Swings and roundabouts in this game. Geelong were robbed a few … Ollie Dempsey!”
And another: “How can Hardwick get away with such comments? He is a spoilt brat and got hammered by 7 goals, and blames umpires.”
And another: “Ahahahahahah biggest sook in the comp …”
And another: “Got beaten by 45 points in an absolute pea-hearted effort … yeah, the umpires.”
And another: That’s going to be a please explain to suns from AFL house
And another: “Spare us. You got gifted two frees in the 3rd quarter and capitalised on them. It was a 12-18 point swing in your favour and you still couldn’t capitalise. Don’t worry about Roman Colosseums.
Geelong coach Chris Scott was also caught in a furious state with a decision in the third quarter when Cats star Bailey Smith was denied a holding-the-ball free kick.
Scott addressed umpiring for about five minutes during his post-match press conference, attempting to explain to the fans what the AFL are telling clubs.
“One of the things that, I think, is frustrating for fans, in general, is they don’t quite understand the nuance that maybe the clubs do, because we have it explained to us in great detail,” he said.
“The Bailey Smith one, that’s just an error, and we should ignore that.
“Everyone who understands the nuance of that rule should just say, ‘OK, ignore that, because it’s an error.
“Mistakes happen all the time.
“If you’re going to get frustrated, make sure it’s not your own ignorance you’re displaying for everyone”
