‘Been paid all year’: Freo fumes as star denied by ‘ridiculous’ GF call

There was a controversial finish to the first quarter of the 2026 AFL Grand Final with Docker Josh Treacy denied a shot on goal in the dying seconds.

Get the expert take on AFL Grand Final Day with FOX FOOTY’s pre-match, half-time and post-match coverage, plus full and mini replays available from 6PM AEST on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Teammate Neil Erasmus had hit up the leading Treacy with just 10 seconds to play, at a time the Dockers trailed by just a point, and the big man clamped the mark.

WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

But as he went back to take his set shot, Lion Oscar Allen brought him down as the umpire determined the Erasmus pass did not go the required 15 metres.

Dunks lucky to stay on after head knock? | 00:22

“Not far enough! Play on called the umpire,” 7 Sport’s Brian Taylor said.

“He thought he had it, the crowd thought he had it, I thought he had it!

Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson and Garry Lyon were shocked by the call to deny Treacy and the Dockers.

“That is 20 metres! A controversial finish to the opening quarter,” he said.

“It’s ridiculous,” Lyon added.

“It looks like they’ve clamped down on it early in the piece, but that’s a mark all day long and been paid all year.”

Boos rang out at the MCG as a result of the controversial call.

But it had been clear umpires were red-hot on the short kicks all first quarter, with the Lions denied repeatedly under the same rule.

“They have been hot on that all quarter,” Kane Cornes said.

The big call denied Fremantle what could have been a shot after the quarter time siren to take the lead in the AFL grand final.

Prancing Pony POLEAXED by two Lions | 00:36

“That is big!” Hamish McLachlan said.

“Normally when a forward gets on the end of one of them, it is allowed to go.”