Kangaroos fans were blowing up after Eddie Ford was pulled up for a dangerous tackle on Melbourne’s Steven May in the third quarter of the Demons’ thrilling win on Saturday.
The incident in question took place with just over nine minutes left in the period as Ford span May around, with the Demons star coming under scrutiny for his last action which seemingly accentuated head-into-turf contact.
The umpire paused before eventually awarded a free kick to Melbourne for what he deemed a dangerous tackle after May grabbed at his head.
However, North Melbourne fans felt their team should have been on the receiving end of that call with May instead pinged for holding the ball.
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Fox Footy’s David Zita, meanwhile, asked whether May could face a staging fine from the AFL in the aftermath of Saturday’s game.
“I think it’s probably about time there could be some sort of staging fine given. I don’t think we’ve had one this year.
“Eddie Ford tackles him. The umpire falls for it and pays the dangerous tackle. But staging in the guidelines is excessive exaggeration of contact in an unsportsmanlike manner.
“I don’t see how this doesn’t fall under the criteria of staging. It is not something that is given out very often anymore but I think when the MRO and the team sits down tomorrow this is something they will have to consider giving given the look of it and given the blowback in the immediate aftermath.”
Three-time premiership player Jack Riewoldt questioned in response whether a player needs to have a concussion test if they immediately grab at their head, but Brad Johnson wasn’t so sure.
“Yes, I understand what you’re saying, but when they look at the vision they’ll say there’s nothing there and he’ll play on,” the six-time All Australian said, adamant May “milked it for the free kick”.
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Jobe Watson described the call as “perplexing” in commentary for Channel 7, suggesting North Melbourne fans had a right to feel hard done by, and even former Demons captain Nathan Jones agreed.
“Perplexing for me,” Watson said.
“It wasn’t paid earlier. The umpire really held onto it and didn’t make the call when the motion was made.”
“It’s not a free kick for mine,” added Jones.
“I don’t think there’s a genuine slinging, dumping motion. Obviously they are twisting, but I feel like his shoulder touched the ground first.”
The incident caused plenty of debate on social media, with West Coast premiership player Will Schofield joining Riewoldt in suggesting players who hold their head after a dangerous tackle should be sent off the ground for an assessment.
Former AFLW player Kate McCarthy, meanwhile, branded May’s actions an “awful look”.