Gold Coast have raised concerns directly with the AFL this week, following a string of questionable calls involving Matt Rowell in recent rounds, just as the league grapples with its latest crackdown on umpire contact.
Rowell, who was electric in the Suns’ tense win over Collingwood last Friday night, was at the centre of 12 separate free kick decisions in the match, seven for and five against.
But the club’s concerns stem from the week prior, when Rowell was repeatedly restricted by Essendon’s Will Setterfield, with the league now admitting officiating errors in that contest.
“The Suns met with the AFL this week... they were worried about the lack of free kicks (against Essendon in Round 17),” Fox Footy reporter Jon Ralph revealed. “Will Setterfield continued to hold Matt Rowell; he didn’t get free kicks last week.”
Hardwick downplays but acknowledges umpiring issues
Suns coach Damien Hardwick confirmed the meeting took place, though he was cautious not to single out Rowell as the sole reason for the discussion.
“We spoke to them not in particular about Matt Rowell, but a few issues — the ball player being one of them,” Hardwick said. “I think he got a couple stoppage free kicks, (but) gave away three, though, as well. It’s one of those things.”
The scrutiny comes after Rowell’s high-impact performance against the Pies, 32 disposals, 13 tackles, 12 clearances and two goals, again put him in the spotlight, both for his brilliance and how he’s officiated.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon added context to the conversation, saying: “This has been going on for probably 50 years, coaches ringing up or leaning on umpires saying: ‘Look after my man’ — and it will be going on for another 150.”
With the Suns now chasing a fourth consecutive win as they head to Adelaide for Round 19, the Rowell umpiring debate shows no sign of cooling.