Collingwood has jumped into the top eight after taking a tense four-point victory over Hawthorn at the the MCG on Sunday, but the tight finish wasn’t helped by a contentious umpiring decision at a crucial moment.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter – and with the Hawks having kicked four unanswered goals to close in on the Pies – defender Darcy Moore was penalised for contact below the knees of rookie Sam Butler in an attempt to rush the ball through for a behind.
Awarded a set shot in the goalsquare, Butler kicked truly to make it five consecutive goals and gave Hawthorn the lead for the first time in the match, after the Hawks had trailed by as much as 30 points in the second term.
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It was a decision that left the commentators and fans alike scratching their heads.
“There was an umpire within two or three metres of that who didn’t pay it, there was an umpire who was at the 50 metre mark who did,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon on Fox Footy’s coverage.
With the replay clearly showing Moore got to the ball first in the wet conditions with Butler subsequently crashing in, St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt was frustrated by the decision.
“Moore gets there first. That’s not the right decision,” he added.
“He doesn’t take his legs out; Butler falls on Darcy Moore.”
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Hawks veteran Jack Gunston was subbed off in the third quarter after suffering an nasty ankle injury in a tackle.
Gunston attempted to play through the pain but eventually came from the ground for further assessment.
With the Hawks regaining the lead early into the final term, it was ultimately young forward Ollie Henry who delivered an epic clutch moment to polish off Hawthorn.
Acting as the Pies target inside 50, Henry took a towering pack mark and converted the set-shot goal, before the Magpies’ defence held firm under pressure to seal the win.