Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
AFL admits umpire error after Brisbane Lions forward Logan Morris was incorrectly called to play on during Thursday night's victory over the Sydney Swans at the Gabba. The league confirmed on Friday that Morris should have been awarded a goal after the siren, acknowledging the umpire made the wrong decision and issuing fresh clarification on the interpretation of the rule.
The controversial moment occurred at the end of the third quarter when Morris appeared to extend Brisbane's lead to 48 points with a brilliant snap around his body. As the Lions celebrated, the field umpire had already called play on, ruling Morris had failed to comply with the line of kick requirements.
The AFL's review found Morris had acted within the rules despite standing slightly short of the original line.
AFL acknowledges incorrect decision
In a statement released on Friday, the AFL explained why the decision was overturned upon review.
"The umpire standing directly behind the line of kick judged that Logan Morris did not return to the line of kick and therefore called play on," the statement said.
"On further review, while Morris was short of the line of kick, we believe he has complied with the rule by kicking over the man on the mark and has not improved the angle to the goal posts and therefore play on should not have been called."
The league also confirmed it would clarify the interpretation with clubs and officials.
"We are clarifying to umpires and clubs that where a player lines up perpendicular to their line of kick, they must either kick over the player on the mark, or kick from the line of kick."
The admission will not alter the result of Brisbane's win but has reignited debate over one of the AFL's most scrutinised rules.
Fagan questions interpretation
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan admitted both he and his players were confused by the ruling.
"My understanding of that rule is as long as you start near the boundary and kick over the guy's hands on the mark, that's OK," Fagan said.
"I thought that's what he did."
Fagan said Morris genuinely believed he had complied with the rule based on the guidance clubs had previously received.
"It would be good to get some clarity on it because the learning for Logan might be, if you ever get another shot on goal and the siren's gone mate, maybe you've just got to go straight back and kick over the hands on the mark so there's no doubt you've done the right thing."
"We'll ask because he did that thinking he was doing the right thing.
"If he wasn't, we all need to know so we can learn from it."
Commentators criticise controversial call
The incident sparked immediate criticism from commentators during Seven's broadcast.
Brian Taylor argued Morris had not improved his angle by stopping short of the mark and believed the umpire had incorrectly applied the rule.
"The rule says as long as you don't improve your angle by going over the mark," Taylor said.
"I think they've got that wrong."
Former Hawthorn premiership player Luke Hodge labelled the decision "a mockery" and questioned how the rule applies to players taking snap shots around the body.
Kane Cornes described it as "the worst decision of the year" and criticised the AFL for continuing to alter rule interpretations throughout the season.
Hamish McLachlan revealed during the broadcast that AFL football boss Greg Swann advised the latest interpretation required players to kick over the man on the mark.
Taylor responded by arguing that explanation was inconsistent with the wording of the current laws.
Similar incident involving Nick Watson
The controversy follows a comparable incident involving Hawthorn forward Nick Watson earlier this season.
Watson was penalised after being ruled to have moved off his line before converting a set shot with a drop punt.
While the situations were not identical, both decisions have highlighted confusion surrounding the application of the play on rule during set shots.
The AFL's latest clarification is intended to provide greater consistency for umpires and players moving forward.
Despite acknowledging the mistake, the incident has intensified calls for the league to simplify the rule to avoid similar controversies during crucial moments later in the season.