Umpire howler gifts Lachie Schultz first goal against Fremantle Dockers as Nick Riewoldt blows up
Amid a high-quality first half between finals fancies Fremantle and Collingwood at the home of footy, a bizarre umpiring decision stole the headlines.
Dockers defender Karl Worner was penalised for making high contact with Schultz during a tackle and dutifully stood the mark inside 50 despite clearly being bemused by the call.
Worner remained silent as he looked over his shoulder at the big screen, watching the replay of the incident with the crowd.
However, what he saw triggered his frustrations as he threw his head back and gestured towards the big screen.
It prompted umpire John Howorth to blow the whistle and pay a 50-metre penalty, stating '50 metres, point at scoreboard'.
Former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt exclaimed 'all my gosh' on the broadcast before scolding the call.
'That's just ridiculous and selective umpiring that,' he said on Channel 7.
'We saw a game last night, Clayton Oliver was way more demonstrative.'
Riewoldt made a further tongue-in-cheek remark later in the second term, suggesting Mason Cox should avoid looking towards the scoreboard after giving away a free kick in Fremantle's attacking half.
The umpire's decision marred an otherwise entertaining start to the mouth-watering contest, which included Pat Voss kicking four first-half goals while Pies small forward Jamie Elliott soccered a goal out of thin air as he chases Cat Jeremy Cameron for the Coleman Medal.
Scores were level minutes before the long break.
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