Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick was left infuriated by a controversial free kick against his young defender Mac Andrew, which resulted in the game-winning goal for St Kilda on Saturday night. Hardwick deemed the penalty “unwarranted,” expressing his frustration in the post-match interview.
Andrew had successfully limited Max King’s impact for most of the game at Marvel Stadium. However, with just over three minutes remaining, he was controversially penalized for holding King off the ball near St Kilda’s goalsquare. Despite it appearing that both players were holding each other, the free kick was awarded against Andrew, giving King a straightforward shot at goal. This goal ended up being the decisive score in St Kilda’s narrow three-point victory.
In his post-match comments, Hardwick was unequivocal: “It was clearly, in my view, a free kick that was unwarranted.” He acknowledged the tough nature of the game and the role of umpires, but stressed the need for consistency in officiating.
Reflecting on Andrew’s likely disappointment, Hardwick noted the importance of learning from such experiences. He pointed out the challenge of judging such incidents, where both players are grappling, and suggested the umpire may have unfairly targeted the defender.
The defeat was a missed opportunity for the Suns, who could have broken into the top four with a win against the struggling Saints. Gold Coast’s away form remains a significant issue, with the team now having lost their last 13 road games. Hardwick lamented the missed chance to advance and emphasized the need for his young team to grow and adapt to the challenges of playing away games, particularly in hostile environments.
The match itself, according to Hardwick, was “terrible” and “horrific,” marked by poor skills from both sides. Aside from the thrilling conclusion, the game was lackluster and not one for the record books. Hardwick criticized his team’s 125 uncontested marks that went backwards and sideways, acknowledging St Kilda’s effective defense under coach Ross Lyon.
Despite being prepared for St Kilda’s defensive approach, Hardwick admitted his team struggled to cope. He praised the Saints for dictating the terms of the game and recognized the need for his team to improve and mature in such situations.
The loss left Hardwick feeling that the Suns had let a winnable game slip away. He emphasized the necessity for his team to seize their chances and mature in their gameplay to avoid such disappointments in the future.
In a broader context, Hardwick has been a vocal advocate for a stricter interpretation of the holding-the-ball rule. Despite some initial challenges, he believes the sport will benefit in the long run as players adjust to the stricter enforcement. He reiterated the need for consistent application of the rules to ensure fairness and improve the game’s quality.
Overall, Hardwick’s comments reflect his frustration with the officiating and his team’s performance, while also highlighting the broader challenges facing the young Gold Coast team as they strive to improve and compete more effectively, particularly in away games.
