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Find your frequency here'Ask the umpiring department': Hardwick bemused following lop-sided free-kick count
Nicholas Quinlan • August 23rd, 2025 12:54 pm
Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick believes that the umpires were “caught up in the emotion” following their loss to Port Adelaide on Friday night.
It was a momentous night for the Power as they would send off one of their favourite sons in Travis Boak and their longest serving head coach in SANFL/AFL history in Ken Hinkley with a four-point win against the Suns at Adelaide Oval after trailing in the fourth quarter.
It now means the Suns will have to win against the Bombers on Wednesday to secure a spot in the finals for the first time in the club’s AFL history.
One of the main talking points from the match would be the free-kick count, with Port Adelaide receiving 33 compared to the Suns’ 16.
Speaking in his press conference following the game, Hardwick initially admitted that the Suns had been ill-disciplined throughout the game.
“We gave away too many, there’s no question about that,” Hardwick acknowledged.
“It’s one of those things, unfortunately. The emotion of the game, whatever it is and all of a sudden, you’re giving territory that’s very, very hard to earn and giving it back free of charge.”
But when pressed further on the topic about the free-kick count, the three-time premiership coach suggested that the emotion of the match may have also influenced the umpires.
“I thought the umpires got caught up in the emotion of the game. (It) can happen,” he said.
“(You’re) asking the wrong bloke the wrong question. Maybe ask the umpiring department.”
The Suns still have the opportunity to host a home final as they can still finish as high as sixth on the ladder, so long as they win against the Bombers.
For that to happen, they require St Kilda to do them a favour and knock off GWS in their Round 24 clash on Sunday.
