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AFL pundits are fuming after St Kilda’s Jack Steele was pinged for a dubious dangerous tackle against the GWS Giants on Sunday afternoon.
The two clubs were embroiled in a tight contest at Sydney Olympic Park, with Steele putting a crunching tackle on Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper early in the third term.
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The 25-year-old wrapped his arms around Hopper and drove his opponent into the turf, resulting in a brief fisticuffs.
But the Channel 7 commentary team were unimpressed with the umpire’s decision to award the Giants a free kick for a dangerous tackle.
“That’s not dangerous,” Geelong great Jimmy Bartel said.
“It would’ve hurt, but it was a totally legal tackle there by Steele.”
Despite trailing for most of the final term, St Kilda held their nerve to secure a 13.8 (86) to 11.12 (78) victory in wet conditions.
The gap was only two points with 60 seconds left on the clock, but a late goal from Dan Butler sealed the win.
The game ended in controversial circumstances, with Giants midfielder Callan Ward pinged for incorrect disposal of the Sherrin after he was bumped by Butler.
The umpire awarded the Saints a contentious free kick, which ultimately put the final result beyond doubt.
AFL reporter Rohan Connolly tweeted: “What was the free kick against Ward for? Holding the ball or incorrect disposal? Fair enough if the latter, if former, no, he wasn’t tackled.”
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Saints forward Tim Membrey booted three goals, while Jack Billings mustered a game-high 29 disposals.
Giants tall forward Harry Himmelberg kicked a team-high three goals, while teammate Tim Taranto recorded a major and 25 disposals.
Playing in his maiden game as a Giants vice-captain, Toby Greene recorded one goal, three behinds and 19 disposals, while also pulling off an early contender for Mark of the Year.
St Kilda will next face the Melbourne Demons, while the Giants will take on the Fremantle Dockers.
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