AFL: Tom Hawkins admits controversial push in the back call was WRONG
Tom Hawkins has had his say on the controversial call that helped Geelong to victory over Brisbane, with the Cats star admitting his crucial goal was ‘probably’ a free kick for a push in the back.
With the game poised on a knife-edge, Hawkins kicked the winning goal after appearing to push two hands in the back of Lions star Harris Andrews, yet no free kick was awarded in Brisbane’s favour.
The controversial call stirred debate among pundits after the game, with St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt labelling the decision ‘completely absurd’.
Tom Hawkins has admitted that his game-winning goal was ‘probably’ a free kick for Brisbane
‘Umpires make mistakes and we have come a long way already this year in our non-bashing of the umpires so when an umpire makes a mistake, don’t give us that disgraceful explanation,’ he said.
‘That was nonsensical. That’s trying to dig yourself out of a hole with a completely absurd explanation.’
Lions boss Chris Fagan says his side have moved on from Friday night’s biggest talking point, but AFL 360 asked Hawkins for his take on the incident.
‘Look, it probably is (a free kick),’ he said.
The Cats star kicked a crucial goal to guide his side to victory, although pundits insisted he should have been punished for pushing Harris Andrews in the back in the build up
Hawkins admitted he profited off a controversial call but claimed he won’t get another of that nature for some time
‘But it’s the art of the position of playing as a key forward or playing those key posts. Whether it was or not, lets say it is, it wasn’t called on the night.’
Hawkins echoed the sentiments of North Melbourne coach David Noble, who labelled it a ’50-50′, adding that he is unlikely to get a decision like that in his favour for some time.
‘I think it is,’ he said.
‘The umpire said to us on the night that both our momentum was going forward. Whether or not Harris has gone forward – he’s 95-100 kilos and I certainly don’t push that weight around in the gym that easily – but you get them some weeks and others you don’t.
‘I probably won’t get them for a while.’