The AFL has declared it won’t be backflipping on a recent rule change that dudded Geelong against Carlton last weekend. Ollie Dempsey scored a fair goal in the opening minutes against Carlton, but goal umpire David Rodan didn’t get a good look before he collided with a Blues player on the goal-line.

Rather than ask for a score review, Rodan awarded a behind because he didn’t think it was a goal. Replays showed Dempsey got his leg to the ball below the knee before it had crossed the line, meaning it should have been a goal.

Chris Scott said the ARC should have got involved on the Ollie Dempsey goal. Image: Getty/Fox Footy

But a recent rule change meant the AFL Review Centre (ARC) couldn’t get involved. Up until Round 7 this year, the ARC would have been able to intervene after the fact and award the Cats a goal.

But the AFL changed the rules last month and stripped the ARC of the power to get involved after the resumption of play. AFL bosses thought it was too disruptive to stop play after it had already resumed and go back in time.

But the change backfired when Geelong were clearly dudded, and it proved a huge talking point because they lost by four points. Cats coach Chris Scott said in his press conference that the ARC should be allowed to intervene when it’s a clear and obvious “howler”.

But leading journo Jon Ralph reported on Monday afternoon that the AFL won’t be backflipping on the rule change. “The AFL won’t make any more changes to its ARC procedures after the Rodan-Dempsey goal that wasn’t called a goal,” Ralph reported.

“The ARC had around eight seconds to review it quickly but it didn’t happen, with Rodan not reviewing the goal after slipping over. Same policy applies going forward – that once the ball is back in play the ARC can’t call it back.”

Ollie Dempsey and Geelong were robbed of a clear goal. Image: Channel 7

Chris Scott says ARC should have got involved

The AFL admitted on Saturday that Rodan erred by not calling for a score review in the first place. Scott said on Friday night: “I probably disagree with the theory in principle that someone sitting in the ARC can’t see.

“The technology is there for the howler and someone within the ARC should’ve seen that was a howler within seconds. You guys (media) will talk about it more. I don’t think I really have that much more to add. All I would be doing is making the observation that’s as plain to you as it is to me.”