The Hawks had only themselves to blame for blowing a 41-point lead, or did they?
Port Adelaide’s last-gasp win over Hawthorn was aided by an unexpected 19 extra seconds, according to fresh evidence. The Power staged an incredible comeback on Sunday after trailing the Hawks by a startling 41 points in the third quarter.
Sam Mitchell received a lot of criticism for playing too defensive in the fourth quarter and attempting to protect the advantage, but it turns out the Hawks may have been duped by an umpire error. Darcy Byrne-Jones scored the game-winning goal with only two seconds remaining, but leading AFL writer Jon Ralph believes the game should have been finished by that point.
AFL ticks off controversial clock blunder that cost Hawthorn
Ralph also revealed the AFL ticked off the contentious moment because there wasn’t an official time-keeping error as such. “But speaking to former and current umpires, they say that he should not have had those 19 seconds,” Ralph added. “In theory, you don’t get those 19 seconds, you don’t kick the other (match-winning) goal.”
Ralph also highlighted the fact there was an identical situation with Willie Rioli later in the quarter, but on that occasion the umpires got the clock started again correctly because it was a more sensitive situation. “Hawthorn is aware of the incident, they know of course they did so many things wrong themselves, but in a season with so many fine margins, it’s probably one that got away again for Hawthorn.” Ralph added. “(There’s) nothing they can do now – it’s not an official error – but gee, those Hawthorn fans they would’ve loved that 20 seconds to be taken off the clock.”
Hawthorn dominated the first three quarters of the match, with Blake Hardwick booting five goals. The Hawks led by 22 points at half-time and Cam Mackenzie’s goal in the 23rd minute of the third term put them up by 41 points.
But Mitchell played it way too safe in the final quarter and completely changed the Hawks’ tactics. He took off Jack Ginnivan and moved Hardwick down back in an attempt to shore up the Hawks’ defence, which meant Hawthorn had very few scoring threats in the last term. AFL greats David King and Dermott Brereton were both highly critical of Mitchell’s decision-making and said the coach’s tactics cost his side the win.