AFL General Manager Football Operations Steve Hocking today said the AFL had had a detailed review of the procedure undertaken during the score change decision on a shot for goal by Richmond’s Jack Higgins during Saturday’s Round 10 match against St Kilda, played at the MCG.

Mr Hocking said it was the AFL’s view that the visual evidence used by the score reviewer to alter the decision from a goal to a point was not beyond reasonable doubt to overturn the decision, and the review should have reverted to ‘umpire’s call’, and the original decision made by the goal umpire at the time.

Mr Hocking said that while the score reviewers were asked to make decisions quickly, so that the flow of all games could be maintained, the primary instruction that needed to be heeded was that any over-turn must be beyond reasonable doubt. All score review staff will continue to be educated on this process, that for any doubt whatsoever with a lack of clear vision, all reviews must revert to ‘umpire’s call’.

“I would repeat again that the overall mechanics of the score review system are good for the game in correcting errors and ensuring against wrong decisions, with some 29 reviews this season reaching a decision that corrected an original error,” Mr Hocking said.

“That said, when an over-rule decision is made that is incorrect or confusing for fans, such as the decision in Saturday’s game, all of that good work is quickly undone and clubs, players and fans will lose faith in the process of going to a score review.

“It will continue to be educated to the review staff as the highest priority that when it comes to an over-rule the vision must be beyond reasonable doubt, or to revert to the original decision made by the umpire on-field.

“The Richmond Football Club has had score reviews in its games in the first part of the season that the AFL acknowledges were not performed to the expected standard. The AFL will continue to coach and educate the staff involved around what is expected in their roles,” he said.