AFL concedes Draper non-call was a mistake

The AFL has admitted they made a mistake in the dying seconds of Essendon’s three-point win over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

Essendon led by three points as the clock ticked down in the Crows’ forwardline, as Bombers players desperately attempted to stop an Adelaide score.

Draper then dived on top of the footy as the ball trickled loose, as he was tackled by two Crows players.

Now, the AFL says they made the wrong call, by making none at all.

“In the moment and at ground level the umpires believed that Draper dived on the ball, and then the ball came out to Draper’s left, and was then knocked back under him by (Taylor) Walker,” an AFL spokesperson said on Saturday.

“In review, and with the assistance of the broadcast angle and behind the goals hawkeye vision providing a clearer look, you can see that the ball moves from under Draper’s chest – to under his armpit/shoulder – which means the ball is still in his possession, and he has not immediately knocked it clear.

“Therefore, it technically should have been a holding the ball free kick.”

Walker was left fuming over the disputed the call and remonstrated with the umpire over the dubious ruling.