'Game over': Two controversial calls seals another thrilling Blues finish

A controversial free kick paid against Fremantle gun Jordan Clark for dissent – one of two controversial calls in the dying stages of their clash with Carlton – cemented the Blues’ first ever win on Adelaide Oval in dramatic fashion.

With just under 90 seconds to play in the match, Fremantle led by two points before a quick kick under pressure from George Hewett landed in the arms of teammate Matthew Cottrell roughly 30 metres from goal, directly in front.

The only issue was, Hewett’s kick had brushed the shoulder of Fremantle defender James Aish en route to Cottrell – unbeknownst to the umpire closest to the contest.

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Pleading like there was no tomorrow, the Dockers players in their defensive 50 repeatedly gestured to the umpires that the kick was touched, but to no avail.

A calm Cottrell slotted his set shot, sending Carlton fans into hysteria and Fremantle’s into utter disbelief.

Only seconds after Cottrell’s goal, Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall was quick to pick up on the umpires gathering again where the set shot took place.

“I think there’s a free kick in the middle going Carlton’s way for abuse,” Dunstall said initially.

“The first call was a free kick in the centre of the ground, and then the dissent must have continued and it’s become another shot at goal,” he then elaborated.

It became evident quickly that Fremantle’s players had continued to express their anger beyond the limits of surrounding umpires, with comments from Jordan Clark the tip of a slippery iceberg.

“They must’ve kept going (at the umpires), because it’s come back for another shot,” Dunstall continued to explain.

“The first call was a free kick back at the centre of the ground, and then the dissent must have continued and become another shot at goal.”

Carlton midfielder Matthew Kennedy was the player rewarded with another set shot on goal, and with an equally cool head as Cottrell, slammed Fremantle’s chances of an 11th hour comeback off his own boot.

“It’s game over, it’s game Carlton! They have gathered, and won their first ever game at the Adelaide Oval,” expert commentator Anthony Hudson called.

As the ball finally went back to the middle of the ground, Dunstall lamented over the loss of composure by Fremantle at such a crucial stage of the match.

“We’ve been so complimentary of Freo; their discipline, their pressure and everything they’ve brought - but the lost their call when they thought the ball was touched off the boot and the umpire didn’t pay it.

“The one thing you’ve got to do is keep your cool, and they lost it.

They would’ve had a minute to try win a centre clearance and go forward, but obviously they were too vociferous with their protests over the ball being touched, before Cottrell marked it,” said Dunstall.

As the last 20 seconds ticked down, Fremantle were unable to move the ball forward in a task nigh on impossible to kick two goals in the allocated time.

On the siren, Dunstall added his final comments on the controversial incident.

“You can’t expect an umpire to pay that, but the problem was they then, after the goal had been kicked, they protested far too vocally and in the wrong manner.”

Speaking to Fox Footy post-game, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps was in the dark on the finer details of the free kick.

“I’m not 100% sure, I was nervous that the ball might’ve been touched off the mark when (Cottrell) kicked that goal, so I thought it might’ve been a review.

“I think it was dissent… it made our job a little bit easier in the middle instead of scrambling - you take them ones when you can,” Cripps said with a smile on his face.

The win keeps Michael Voss’ men undefeated in 2024, and will look to continue their hot streak against a winless Adelaide Crows outfit at Marvel Stadium next weekend.