The AFL world is divided over a controversial free kick that potentially cost Melbourne a thrilling win on Thursday.
The Demons were hammered by Carlton in the early stages of the contest, but fought back to lose by a solitary point in an MCG epic.
Amid the incredible comeback was a moment that left many viewers scratching their heads.
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A loose ball inside Melbourne's forward 50 was picked up by Blues player Brodie Kemp, who was then tackled by Demons player Jacob van Rooyen.
The ball spat out from under Kemp, was picked up by Melbourne and grubbered towards the goal square where the Demons would have kicked the easiest of goals to ping the margin back to 14 points.
Instead, the umpire blew his whistle and paid a free kick to Kemp, claiming Van Rooyen had effected a dangerous tackle.
Tacklers are not allowed to pin a ball-carrier's arm and sling them into the ground, as part of the AFL's crusade against head injuries and concussions.
But prominent commentator Brian Taylor claimed Kemp had put his own head into the ground on purpose in order to gain the free kick.
"That's a classic example of a player deliberately putting his head into the ground," Taylor said.
"We're seeing it a lot – players are aware of how to get free kicks, and that is one way."
While many agreed the Van Rooyen tackle was not illegal, some disputed the suggestion Kemp had deliberately played for a free kick.
"Kemp didn't stage," Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley tweeted.
https://twitter.com/ncb_cfc/status/1788550784680099957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1788539792340435136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/MarkGottlieb/status/1788548594993410435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/WillSchofield/status/1788546713843908828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"Don't fall for the sensationalism in the call… should have been a free kick to the Dees though, good tackle."
Retired West Coast player Will Schofield was dumfounded by the decision.
"That dangerous tackle call is absolutely disgraceful!" he posted on X.
"How are we encouraging blokes to throw their heads to the ground?"
With Melbourne denied a certain goal and the Demons losing by one point, some – including Schofield – claimed the umpire's decision decided the result of the game.
But given the hundreds of decisions made during an AFL game, and the completely random nature of the sport, it is impossible to tell what would have happened after a hypothetical Demons goal.
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