New AFL football operations boss Greg Swann is expected to have a busy Monday morning ahead, after a dramatic beginning to round 21.
Friday night’s thriller between Adelaide and Hawthorn had everything: a close finish, several lead changes, and of course, some controversial umpiring.
But it was a decision late in the game to stop play to allow Hawthorn star Will Day to exit the field due to supposed cramping that has enraged fans and pundits alike, with former AFL greats Jason Dunstall and Garry Lyon slamming the call on commentary.
“You can’t stop the game for cramp,” Dunstall lamented.
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“There’s something wrong with that rule. Just because he’s in the hands of a trainer, doesn’t mean you stop the game.”
“It’s not in the play. That’s not on,” Lyon added.
“That is open to manipulation all day long.”
Fox Footy journalist Jon Ralph confirmed post-game that the decision to stop play was incorrect.
“Umpires under the rules are told to stop play if the player is injured within a kick of a play,” he said.
“It’s not supposed to be used for concerns like cramp according to the AFL’s umpires boss Steve McBurney.”
Day exited the field with the Hawks trailing the Crows by 16 points with 3:38 remaining in the contest.
Adelaide would eventually hold on though in one of the best games of the season, winning 101-87.
It was just Day’s second game in nearly four months, after he returned to the side last week following a stress fracture in his foot.
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Many perceived the cramps to be a sign that Day was just getting back to full match fitness after an extended absence, although coach Sam Mitchell was unable to confirm how his star midfielder had pulled up post-game.
“I don’t have an answer yet,” Mitchell said.
“He was cramping. He had ice on most parts of his lower body.”
The Hawks will have a quick turnaround, as a blockbuster matchup next Thursday with Collingwood awaits, with massive implications for their finals chances.
With three games remaining, Hawthorn currently sit fifth on the ladder on 52 points, although Fremantle and Gold Coast are expected to leapfrog them later this round.