AFL takes action after Collingwood denied in controversial moment against Adelaide
Collingwood fans were left fuming over a number of calls that didn't go their way as they lost for the fourth time in their last five games. Crows star Isaac Cumming has admitted Ben Keays got away with a blatant throw when Cumming kicked a pivotal goal in the third quarter.
And there was high controversy when Riley Thilthorpe wasn't pinged for kicking the ball away with less than a minute remaining in the game. With just seconds to play, Thilthorpe kicked the ball away well after the umpire's whistle had blown, and fans and commentators were left in disbelief he wasn't pinged for time-wasting.
The clock was stopped after the ball went out of bounds, meaning there wasn't any time-wasting per se. But Thilthorpe's actions were technically in breach of the rules.
On Sunday night, leading reporter Jon Ralph revealed the AFL will "look at" the incident in its weekly umpiring review. Whether it leads to any favourable outcomes for Collingwood is highly unlikely.
Speaking in commentary at the time, Jason Dunstall said: 'How he (Thilthorpe) gets away with this … I don't know how all the umpires miss this. This is time-wasting. He's punched it out of bounds to start with, then he's looking at it and toes it off the ground. It's not by accident. There are umpires all around him and they don't pay it.'
On 3AW radio, Matthew Richardson said: 'This was a case of the umpiring forgetting the rule." While on the AFL Footy Show, Damien Barrett added: "That is a free kick to Collingwood every day of the week."
As for the Keays throw, Cumming said after the game: 'Oh my days it was a throw. I actually thought when he threw it to me mid-air I was like, 'Oh my god it's going to get called back'. But he disguised it pretty well, Keyser."
The AFL will have a look at the Thilthorpe time wasting non free as part of its weekly umpiring review tomorrow https://t.co/unwXAF20dB
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 17, 2025
Reports Izak Rankine could face AFL investigation
Meanwhile, several media outlets have reported that Rankine may be in trouble for an alleged comment to a Collingwood opponent. Rankine was among the Crows' best against the Magpies, kicking a goal late in the second term that gave them the lead for the first time in the match.
There's been no official confirmation from the AFL or either club as to whether Rankine is under investigation. If a probe was to find him guilty of misconduct and he was suspended, it would be a significant blow to Adelaide's hopes of winning the flag.
RELATED:
Demons respond after Christian Petracca criticised by Luke Hodge
Jobe Watson could deliver Nathan Buckley as next Demons coach
The Crows are now guaranteed of a top-two finish and home qualifying final, which will be their first finals appearance since they lost the 2017 grand final to Richmond. They'll play North Melbourne next Saturday at Marvel Stadium in their last game before the finals.
Rankine has played 22 games this season, but is yet to play in a finals campaign. The 22-year-old started his AFL career with three seasons at Gold Coast before the Adelaide native was traded to the Crows after the 2022 season.
with AAP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
They're now the enemy: Swans coach ready to face Eagles
Sydney coach Dean Cox still has a great love for West Coast, but he will be treating his former club like the enemy when they clash in Perth. In a quirk of the fixtures, it's taken until the final round of the AFL season for Cox to get his first crack at coaching against the Eagles. Cox is a legend at West Coast after playing 290 games for the club across 14 seasons, including a pivotal role in the 2006 flag. The 44-year-old has endured a rocky start to senior coaching, losing five of his first seven games in charge this season as Sydney crashed out of finals contention. The Swans have been much better in the second half of the campaign with seven wins from their past 10 matches, and they'll be aiming to end 2025 on a high with a big victory over wooden spooners West Coast. Eagles fans were left shocked when Cox turned down the chance to take over as coach last year, but the club legend is still set to receive a warm welcome when he strolls out onto Optus Stadium on Saturday night. His premiership coach - John Worsfold - is now West Coast's head of football, and Cox is set to run into plenty of other familiar faces back in WA. "You always have fond memories of your time at one footy club and I love West Coast for every opportunity they gave me," Cox said. "You say hello to a few of them if they're still at the football club, but we've got a job to do. "They (West Coast) are the enemy this week." West Coast (1-21) are already guaranteed to receive the wooden spoon, and unless they cause a huge boilover against Sydney, they will finish with one win for the first time in their history. One bright note to come out of the tail-end of their season has been the form of Campbell Chesser, who looks set to earn a new deal after stringing together three promising games. Chesser was a first-round draft pick in the 2021 national draft, but injuries and poor form have restricted him to just 35 games across four years. The 22-year-old tallied a career-high 22 disposals in last week's 94-point loss to the Western Bulldogs, and he will be aiming to finish off the season strongly. You've been asking for this one. — West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) August 21, 2025 The Eagles will unveil their 10th debutant of the season - Lucca Grego - against the Swans, while Tyrell Dewar earns a recall. Sydney have been boosted by the return of star ruckman Brodie Grundy from concussion.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ugly claims rejected as Crows make call on appealing Izak Rankine suspension
The Adelaide Crows have revealed they won't lodge an appeal against Izak Rankine's four-game ban, while also rejecting suggestions they used the 'mental health card' to get a downgrade. The AFL announced on Thursday that Rankine has been banned four games for a homophobic slur directed at an unnamed Collingwood player last weekend. The AFL originally offered a five-game ban, but the Crows made a "compelling medical submission" that saw the suspension reduced by one game. The Crows held concerns about Rankine's mental health should he cop a five-game ban, which would have ruled him out for the remainder of the season. Crucially, the four-game ban leaves a glimmer of hope that Rankine might play in the grand final. The Crows would need to lose in the first week of the finals and make it all the way to the decider for Rankine to be available again in 2025. On Thursday night, the Crows revealed they won't appeal the four-game sanction. And according to leading reporter Jon Ralph: "Adelaide is adamant it wasn't playing the mental health card with Rankine. That he has complicated medical issues which instructed his response and were backed up by detailed medical records." Adelaide is adamant it wasn't playing the mental health card with Rankine. That he has complicated medical issues which instructed his response and were backed up by detailed medical records. You are entirely open to calling BS on that but it got him a one week reduction 👇 — Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 21, 2025 Jason Dunstall critical of Izak Rankine's reduced ban It comes after Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall slammed the reduced ban on Fox Footy. 'I'm about as confused as I could possibly be,' Dunstall said. "I don't know how compelling medical evidence gets you from five weeks down to four, and if we're talking about mental health, by what metric, measurement scale are we saying that equates to one week. I don't understand, I'm confused. Can someone explain it to me?' Ralph responded: "What Adelaide would say is that there were certain triggers in regards to this, that he was triggered because being knocked out by Dan Houston last year, that was one of the factors. They would say that it's not just the mental health card, and they would believe that it's not setting a worry (precedent)." Leading commentator Gerard Whateley wrote for SEN radio: "The four-week suspension of Izak Rankine is such a disappointing moment from a disappointing administration. The penalty for the use of a homophobic slur without self-reporting is five weeks. "This confected outcome hid behind 'compelling medical submissions'. All those involved know they can avoid accountability by using such an oblique phrase." Adelaide Crows chief 'nervous' for Izak Rankine after ban AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and Crows chief executive Tim Silvers have both refused to elaborate on the medical submission. "It's nice that there's a carrot for him and that it means his season, potentially, is not over ... that is good for his mental health," Silvers told reporters in Adelaide on Thursday. Silvers said the Crows are "frustrated and disappointed" in Rankine, but they would offer the 25-year-old every support. "He put himself into this position and he's deeply remorseful and regrets what he said, but he's doing it pretty tough," Silvers said. "He basically hasn't left his house for the last few days. We're going to support him, we're going to care for him. Yes, we understand he did the wrong thing. But he's still part of our extended family and we'll support him through this." RELATED: West Coast star delivers worrying update to fans about future at club Collingwood premiership star 'up for the taking' if rival club swoops Silvers said Rankine will likely leave his home city for "a week or so" while continuing to train. "I am a little nervous for him," the CEO admitted. "He's gone through a difficult time over the last couple of days. "We've had the appropriate support around him and I think, for him, the release of the decision is good. He might need some time out ... we're looking at some options to potentially just get him away and get him out of the Adelaide environment for a week or so." Rankine early said in a club-issued statement: "I regret using the word and I am deeply sorry for doing so. That type of language has no place in football or in the community. It was a mistake and I have apologised to the Collingwood player. And what happened does not reflect my values or those of the club. I'm committed to educating myself and being better."with AAP
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
'All the best': De Koning's likely farewell to Carlton
Carlton coach Michael Voss is not expecting positive news from Tom De Koning when the high-profile free agent announces where he is playing next year. The Blues' influential ruckman played his 100th - and almost certainly final - game for the club on Thursday night in the 13.12 (90) to 8.8 (56) win over Essendon. Carlton president Robert Priestley acknowledged De Koning's milestone in the MCG rooms post-game in front of players and supporters. "Obviously this week will be huge, obviously a big decision."Tom De Koning on his playing future and reaching 100 games for Carlton.#AFLDonsBlues — AFL (@AFL) August 21, 2025 The 26-year-old even spoke after Priestley, telling his Carlton teammates: "Keep going and do good things soon, so all the best. "Thanks for all the good times over the past eight years." De Koning has had a monster offer - one of the largest in AFL history - on the table from St Kilda for most of this year to join them next season. Carlton want to keep him, but could go nowhere near matching the Saints' bumper contract. In an interview with Fox Footy, De Koning admitted the coming week would be "huge", but was also heading to Bali to surf. Voss insisted he was unsure when De Koning would tell the club, but encouraged it to be soon as the Blues head into exit meetings following a disappointing season. "When you wait this long, we're not expecting the best of news," Voss said. "But we're holding on to that hope that it's going to be here. "It's effectively his midfield, and he's led that really well. Happy 100, King 👑It's a Navy Blue century for Tom De Koning this Thursday night 💙FULL VIDEO: — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 19, 2025 "So if he does leave, it'll be disappointing, but it'll be next man up and we'll keep moving on as a football club. "One thing I've learned about this game is that people come and go, but the club keeps going. "One man goes out, another one comes in, and we keep going, and we'll be a better version." Voss stressed the AFL industry was "not mature enough" to handle a player publicly announcing where they will play next year while their season is still going. He used the example of West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen as an example, who was put under intense scrutiny when it became public he had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell. Allen will almost certainly sign with the Brisbane Lions as a free agent during the trade period. "I just get concerned a little about that when I see the types of responses of an Oscar Allen that has to go through what he went through," Voss said. "Seeing what he had to work through, the impact it had on him. "I would have huge concerns about that. "We say we want to grow up as a football industry, but I don't think we're ready." The Blues have finished their season on a high note with a 34-point win. — (@AFLcomau) August 21, 2025 Carlton will finish the season in 11th - or 12th, if St Kilda upset GWS - after going 9-14 when they started the year with hopes of breaking a premiership drought. Pressure intensified on Voss's position, before Priestley and the board backed him to coach into 2026. "Despite it being unsteady and some shaky ground, we chose to stick together," Voss said. "There's been a lot of question marks on the players about their futures and where they're going to be, and despite that, they've stuck together. "There's been a lot of question marks around my own role, around people around me, despite that, we've stuck together."
