THE AFL has ticked off the controversial umpiring decision that saw Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley awarded a free kick in the dying seconds of the third quarter in Friday's three-point win against North Melbourne for being infringed upon in a ruck contest.
It appeared Marcus Bontempelli nominated to be the Bulldog ruckman in the third term contest, as he raised his right hand before Dunkley lifted both arms in the air, while Roo Andrew Swallow kept Dunkley away from North ruckman Todd Goldstein.
However, match audio confirmed Dunkley was first to say he would be the one to contest against Goldstein, before any indication came from Bontempelli.
Following that, Bontempelli put his hand up and the umpire refused the cue.
Swallow and teammate Jamie Macmillan pointed to the big screen and remonstrated after the free kick, saying Bontempelli was the ruck contestant.
However the umpire is heard to say "he'd already nominated" in reference to Dunkley.
The young Bulldog pushed his shot wide and his side trailed at the final break by two points.
Last December, the 'third man up' at ball-ups and throw-ins was banned, with competing ruckmen required to nominate for the contest.
Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said after the game he agreed with rule but said there were "some anomalies" that needed to be addressed.
