AFL umpires boss Hayden Kennedy has conceded the field umpire in Sunday’s Essendon v Gold Coast clash at Etihad Stadium missed a free kick for a deliberate rushed behind.
 
Midway through the last quarter with the SUNS trailing by 12 points, Essendon’s Conor McKenna soccered the Sherrin through from well outside the goalsquare despite appearing to be under little pressure at the time.
 
SUNS players pleaded for the free kick at the time with coach Rodney Eade searching for clarity on the rule in his post-match press conference.
 
Kennedy, speaking with AFL.com.au’s Whistleblowers segment, admitted a mistake was made.
 
“We needed to pay a deliberate rushed behind in that instance,” Kennedy said.
 
"As you can see, if you can compare it to Eric’s one (Eric Mackenzie incident in round eight), the distance was similar, the pressure was similar.
 
"We clearly said to our umpires if we see this action from this distance out, it needs to be paid as a deliberate rushed behind.
 
"Our umpire there in that particular case, he weighed it all up, he gave the defender the benefit of the doubt in that instance but knew fairly quickly after that he probably paid the wrong call."
 
A second rushed behind minutes later involving the Bombers’ Martin Gleeson was the correct decision according to Kennedy.
 
“We’re comfortable with that decision under the current interpretation,” he said.