AFL considering ‘significant tweaks’ to the goal review system following Tigers’ controversial loss

The AFL is considering changes to its score review system in the wake of the controversial ending to the elimination final between Brisbane and Richmond earlier this month.

According to Jon Ralph of The Herald Sun, the league could do away with the ‘soft call’ to allow goal umpires to refer incidents to the AFL Review Centre (ARC) without making an on-field decision.

As is the case with cricket umpires, under the current system goal umpires have to make an on-field call – the so-called ‘soft call’ – which can then subsequently be reviewed by the ARC.

Like the third umpire in cricket, the ARC can either uphold an on-field decision or ask the goal umpire to change it if it has found enough conclusive evidence to determine the ‘soft call’ was wrong.

The proposed change would allow the ARC operator to make a call, rather than having to overturn the goal umpire’s decision. Significantly, it would also avoid scenarios in which the ARC has to stick with the on-field decision purely because of a lack of conclusive evidence.

‘I believe there’s a significant tweak to the goal review system the AFL is considering,’ Ralph told Fox Footy’s On the Couch on Monday.

‘What we have now is the goal umpire is forced to make a decision, the soft call, goal or behind – even if, in this case [Richmond’s controversial loss to Brisbane], they have no idea. So I think what they could do next year, is if they are totally confused, you refer it without that soft call which means the people in the ARC make a decision on balance of probabilities.’

Tom Lynch looked to have sealed the win for the Tigers, kicking his fourth of the night at the Gabba to put Richmond nine points clear with less than two minutes to play

The goal umpire’s ‘soft call’ signalled a goal for Richmond, but Lynch’s effort was ultimately downgraded to a behind following a review from the ARC

Up by three points with two minutes to go at the Gabba, Richmond looked to have booked a place in the semi-final as Tom Lynch booted his fourth major of the night.

Lynch didn’t celebrate but the goal umpire gave a ‘soft’ call of a goal to his angled set shot before it was sent upstairs for review.

Despite not finding conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision, the goal was overturned to a behind after the footy was adjudged to have sailed above the upright.

That left Richmond up by four points instead of nine and allowed the Lions just enough time to snatch a dramatic 16.10 (106) to 16.8 (104) win, with Joe Daniher stabbing home the match-winning goal.

It gave Joe Daniher (middle) just enough time to kick a dramatic game-winner as the Lions beat Richmond 16.10 (106) to 16.8 (104) to book a berth in the semi-final

While Tigers players were left distraught as their season ended in controversial fashion 

Speaking after the game, Hardwick called on the AFL to scrap the technology as it was ‘not good enough’ to make decisions.

‘I just feel the technology is not good enough and hasn’t been for a long time,’ he said. 

‘Clearly it’s indecisive still. We’ve got goal umpires. Pick which way you want to go. The whole thing is the technology is not at the level it needs to be. Either get better or don’t have it.’

The AFL appears to have taken the feedback on board, inviting Hardwick into the ARC to pore over the process involved in overturning the call that effectively cost Richmond a place in the semi-final.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick wants the AFL to scrap its goal review system

And Ralph noted the league could go even further than simply changing the score review process, by trialling a ball-tracking system.

The suggestion to include microchips in the football to clear up doubts on marginal calls has long been on the table, but any meaningful progress has been limited by a lack of adequate technology and significant costs. 

Things, however, could be about to change.

‘There’ll be some trial of the ball-tracking system,’ Ralph added. ‘It might cost money but if it costs millions, and we got a definitive call, I think you’d be on board.’