AFL umpire Matt Stevic has recalled where he was when fellow official Brett Rosebury opted not to award Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard a free kick late in the 2018 Grand Final
Maynard was blocked by West Coast’s Willie Rioli allowing teammate Dom Sheed to take the mark and kick the winning goal in the dying stages of the match.
“It’s a really tough call and the AFL said they were comfortable with it not being a free kick,” Stevic told SEN’s Time On.
"As for where I was, I was in the middle of the ground so Brett Rosebury was the guy who copped a fair bit of heat just in terms that he was the closest umpire.
"The reality was I was probably in a better position and was as much, if not more, responsible to make the call."
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Stevic explained why he believes Rosebury got the hotly debated decision right.
“Initially, I saw Maynard engage Rioli,” he added.
“I saw Maynard back to the ball, if his back stays to the ball that can be a free kick for infringing, so I’m glad I didn’t pay it the other way.
“I think the play on call, again I understand some say it’s a free and others don’t, I was happy with play on on the day having watched it back 100 times since.”