Fremantle lost to North Melbourne by a point after the umpires opted against awarding the Dockers a free-kick after the final siren went
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A hugely controversial call marred the end of North Melbourne’s one-point victory over Fremantle on Saturday, after the Dockers were seemingly denied a free-kick as time ran out.

The Kangaroos improved to 2-0 in after winning 73-72 at Optus Stadium, but the Dockers were on the receiving end of a decision that brought memories of the Sirengate fiasco of 2006.

Fremantle trailed by a point after kicking three goals in the last five minutes of the game, when Daniel Howe desperately kicked the ball straight out of bounds.

A free-kick to the Dockers for insufficient intent appeared inevitable, but the umpires ruled the siren had sounded before the ball went out of the bounds meaning a free-kick could not be awarded.

‘The siren went before it went out of bounds,’ field umpire Rob Findlay told Fremantle players, who remonstrated with the officials.

‘That‘s the call we’ve made.’

Fremantle lost to North Melbourne by a point after the umpires opted against awarding the Dockers a free-kick after the final siren went

Fremantle lost to North Melbourne by a point after the umpires opted against awarding the Dockers a free-kick after the final siren went

Fremantle lost to North Melbourne by a point after the umpires opted against awarding the Dockers a free-kick after the final siren went

Dockers players were left remonstrating with the officials after they were seemingly denied a clear free-kick right at the end of the game

Dockers players were left remonstrating with the officials after they were seemingly denied a clear free-kick right at the end of the game

Dockers players were left remonstrating with the officials after they were seemingly denied a clear free-kick right at the end of the game

The Kangaroos’ celebrations were initially put on hold as Findlay discussed the decision with his fellow umpires, before upholding the original call. 

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was magnanimous despite the circumstances and said he trusted the umpires to have made the right decision.

‘I trust the umpire got it right. My gut feel is we would have stolen it if we had got a shot on goal and we had have drawn or won it,’ he said.

‘I admire the boys’ fight at the end and never-give-up attitude, but we’ve got a bit of work to do. On that last incident, I trust the umpire got it right.’

Kangaroos boss Alastair Clarkson said he was not surprised by the decision taken by the umpires.

‘My understanding is that the siren went when the ball was still in play,’ he said. ‘I think that’s just my naked observation of it.

‘And I’m not sure if that’s the case or not. And so, if the ball is in play and the siren goes, then what happens post the siren if it goes out of bounds or not? The game is dead.

‘That is my understanding of that. I’m not sure if that’s actually accurate or not. So, it’ll be interesting to see.’

The incident immediately evoked memories of another game involving Fremantle marred by final siren controversy.

In 2006, the Dockers were leading the Saints by a point when the final siren sounded, only for St Kilda to tie the game as the players continued playing as the umpires did not hear the siren. 

The decision not to pay a free-kick to Fremantle on Saturday divided the AFL world.

The umpires believed the siren went before the ball went out of bounds, meaning a free-kick could not be awarded.

For a free-kick to be paid, the boundary umpire would have to signal the ball out of on bounds before the siren sounded, to allow the umpire to make a decision. 

‘I believe from my opinion that Fremantle should get a free-kick,’ former Geelong start Cameron Ling said on Channel 7.

‘They should have had the opportunity. To me, that is a deliberate act. Insufficient attempt to keep the ball in has occurred before the siren has gone.’

Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson said the reaction of Kangaroos players suggested the ball was out of the play by the time the siren sounded and that no free-kick should have been paid.

‘North Melbourne’s players arms go in the air, and the ball is out of play. So they hear the siren and celebrate,’ he said on Fox Footy.

‘If you pause, look where the Sherrin is.

‘I think it’s out of play when that siren goes, going off when the North Melbourne players raise their arms in celebration.’

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir (left) said he believed the umpires made the right call

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir (left) said he believed the umpires made the right call

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir (left) said he believed the umpires made the right call

The Kangaroos are off to a 2-0 start after finishing bottom of the ladder last season

The Kangaroos are off to a 2-0 start after finishing bottom of the ladder last season

The Kangaroos are off to a 2-0 start after finishing bottom of the ladder last season

Kangaroos boss Alastair Clarkson said he felt the umpires made the correct decision

Kangaroos boss Alastair Clarkson said he felt the umpires made the correct decision

Kangaroos boss Alastair Clarkson said he felt the umpires made the correct decision

Former Saints star Nick Dal Santo, meanwhile, suggested the umpire applied the law correctly but believes the ball had already crossed the line before the siren went.

‘He [the umpire] said he thought the ball was before the line when the siren went,’ the dual All-Australian said.

‘His determination is it was still in the field of play — I slightly disagree — but at least he thinks he knows what the rule is.

‘So he hasn’t made a mistake in regards to the ruling, I just think he’s made a mistake in regards to whether the ball was in or out.’

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