Giesch says the umps were right so they must be
Umpires boss backs decision to award a behind to James Magner Mark Stevens
From: Herald Sun
July 10, 2012 AFL umpires boss Jeff Gieschen has launched a strong defence of the contentious James Magner video review, claiming the decision to award a behind was correct.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire led the charge yesterday as the league came under fire for its video procedures, but Gieschen last night said of the Magner call: "We're very happy with that."
To the naked eye, Richmond's Ivan Maric and Jake Batchelor failed to touch Demon Magner's bouncing shot at goal before it crossed the line.
The goal umpire immediately stated he thought it was a goal, but field umpire Stuart Wenn and boundary umpire John Morris believed there was doubt.
Gieschen last night revealed the evidence of Morris, who ran in from the right pocket, was telling.
"Boundary umpire John Morris came in to say, 'I heard that ball scrape the boot'," Gieschen said. "He didn't see a deflection, but he definitely heard the sound."
Wenn, who ran in towards goal, said he saw a deflection but could not be sure if the ball had hit Maric's boot or Batchelor's hand.
The video replay proved inconclusive and it came down to weight of numbers.
In effect, the goal umpire, who thought it was a goal but was in doubt, was overruled by the opinion of two other umpires.
"When you have two guys who say they believe it is touched, that weight of numbers holds up," Gieschen said.
"Quite clearly the goal umpire was going to give a goal, but a boundary umpire and field umpire had considerable doubt."
Gieschen refused to comment when asked if Richmond had been contacted to confirm Maric had in fact touched the ball. It is understood the Tigers are steadfast in the belief the ball did deflect.
The league has confirmed goal umpire Peter Gonis made a mistake in not allowing a goal to Tiger Matthew White in the third term.
Gonis has been dropped for two weeks for the error after a video review was not called for.
"Quite clearly, it's a goal umpiring error," Gieschen said. "The disappointing thing from our end is we didn't call for a review.
"Goal umpires will make errors ... but we have a system that we can use."
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