Geelong star Ollie Henry has been fined after an incident during the Cats' win over Carlton but it's the reaction of the other player involved, Zac Williams, that has copped criticism.
The Blues were trailing by four when defender Williams appeared to stage for a free kick, falling to the ground after what looked to be minimal contact with Henry.
In the build up to the incident, Geelong's Tyson Stengle took a mark and sent a short kick to Gryan Miers at the top of the centre square.
READ MORE: Drivers stunned as life-like doll falls onto race track
READ MORE: 'Menace' making it 'impossible' for Maguire to snub
READ MORE: 'B-grade competition': AFL icon's issue with Anzac games
Henry was headed towards the 50m arc when Williams suddenly changed direction, provoking the Cats forward to strike out his arm. Williams then threw his head back and jumped to his left, appearing to appeal for the umpire's attention.
The incident was ignored by umpires as Henry took the mark uncontested before sending a kick through to goal to stretch the Cats' lead to 10.
Despite the on-field decision, the incident was picked up by the Match Review Officer, deeming the contact to be intentional conduct.
Henry copped a $6,520 fine, with a reduced early plea offer of $3,750.
"He's played for the free kick and lost," David King said in commentary of the match for Fox Footy.
Former Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall backed up the assessment of King as he watched Williams' theatrical display on replay.
"He goes down a bit too easily for mine," he said.
"I don't mean to be brutal about it, but he changed direction into him.
"There was a little brush over the shoulder, but he did go down very easily."
AFL commentator Anthony Hudson had a similar reaction to the replay.
https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1784145975117774897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"(Williams) went down off the ball. The umpires didn't see it. Everyone's seen it now," Hudson said.
"Williams was the player who kind of changed direction."
The incident sparked mixed debate on social media, with fans accusing Williams of "staging".
"Embarrassing and cost his team a goal by staging," one X user wrote.
"It's a free kick every day of the week. Four umpires couldn't see that?" asked another.
Another said: "Give him his well deserved Oscar."
Carlton's 2021 leading goal kicker, Harry McKay, was also fined a total of $5,000 after recording two counts of contact with the umpire during the final minutes of the game.
He has been offered a $3,125 fine if he enters an early guilty plea.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.