VIDEO: A day of controversy. Goal review system in the spotlight during the Tigers-Demons game
http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/466558/A%20day%20of%20controversy/Coaches back video reviewsBy Adam McNicol, Peter Ryan and AAP
7:36 PM Sat 07 Jul, 2012DESPITE several contentious decisions during Saturday's Melbourne-Richmond clash, both coaches believe the AFL's use of video review is worth keeping, even if it provides some unsatisfying results.
Richmond and Melbourne were both denied goals they perhaps deserved during Saturday's clash at the MCG that the Tigers won by 23 points.
Richmond's Matt White and Jack Riewoldt were both convinced they scored goals with kicks which were awarded behinds, while Melbourne was denied a possible James Magner goal despite video evidence appearing inconclusive.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said he would have liked to have seen the White and Riewoldt decisions to be reviewed, although Hardwick - who has been fined this season for abusing an umpire - admitted officials faced a hard task.
"It's a tough ask, but if it's there let's just make a call (for a review)," Hardwick said.
"The problem is the players are always going to call for a review, aren't they, especially Jack.
"They were line-ball (decisions) anyway.
"It's like anything. You bring in a rule and it creates a bit of confusion at the start, but then it eventually gets the desired result. I think it's OK."
And the Magner 'goal'?
"[It was] definitely a point." he laughed. "It was a funny one. It's very, very hard. The problem for the poor old goal umpires is the video itself is inconclusive. It's really hard. It puts them in a predicament, in a nut-shell, so it's a tough ask."
The kick from Magner appeared to bounce through a crowded goalsquare without being touched, but the failure of the replay to prove beyond doubt the ball was not touched meant it was eventually called a behind anyway.
Demons coach Mark Neeld said he was satisfied with the process.
"I looked at that video (of Magner kick) and I couldn't tell. If you can't tell you're not sure, that is what it is there for, the lesser score stands if it is not sure," he said.
"As soon as I saw the tape and go 'I'm not really sure there', the obvious adjudication was a behind, we all know that."
Both Hardwick and Neeld said they were happy to stick with the technology because it meant more correct decisions than without it.
"We're trying to have a collective voice on most things and my view if the correct decision made then that is OK."
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