In an extraordinary scene just as the final siren went on Friday night between AFL clubs Essendon and Sydney at the SCG, Swans’ co-captain Dane Rampe climbed a goal post in an apparent bid to put off a last-minute goal by Essendon. With the Swans only five points in front, Rampe, in a moment of after-the-siren madness jumped onto the post akin to a Spiderman stunt and started climbing it, potentially gifting Essendon an AFL victory. The decision by controlling umpire Andre Gianfagna not to penalise Rampe – the AFL laws stipulate that players must not intentionally shake a goal or behind post – created outrage on social media. “What was he thinking?”, “Bizarre Dane Rampe brain snap” and “climbing the post is a straight-up attempt to cheat” were just some of the comments flooding Twitter overnight. Channel Seven commentator and 2007 Browlow medalist Jimmy Bartel spotted the climb and saw the post “shake”. “I noticed it live. Who is that flying off the back fence like Spider-Man? He got a long way up. That’s a high climb. I guess we’re lucky it didn’t get close.” “It would’ve been disappointing to have the game decided by that, but climbing it does shake it though,” he said. Did this climb deserve a free kick? The umpires may have missed this Dane Rampe infringement after the game. #AFLSwansDons pic.twitter.com/zRwEAT6QQp — 7AFL (@7AFL) May 10, 2019 Rampe’s so-called brain fade came as Bombers midfielder David Myers attempted to slot a match-winning goal from beyond the 50-metre line. His shot fell into the goal square and the Swans won by five points. Essendon’s Jake Stringer and Cale Hooker were among players who witnessed the climb to rush over to Gianfagna following the failed shot. Gianfagna, who saw the chaos unfold and had ordered Rampe “down, down!”, dismissed their complaints. Some suggested Rampe’s bizarre acrobatics should have been enough for a free kick to be awarded in front of goal. Stand-up comedian, Fox FM radio drive host and passionate Carlton supporter Dave Hughes called on Essendon to appeal the match result 11.11 (77) to 10.12 (72). “No way goal umpire, four boundary umpires and three central umpires could miss this. Obviously decided to not pay it. It’s against the rules. Essendon should appeal the game result. Ridiculous,” he posted on Twitter on Saturday. "You talk like a little girl." Dane Rampe had some words for the umpire. #AFLSwansDons pic.twitter.com/MEEKhWVbsD — AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) May 10, 2019 It wasn’t the first time on Friday night Rampe was front and centre of umpires’ attentions. Told to play on in the second quarter after the umpire deemed he stepped off the mark, Rampe was caught holding the ball by Stringer. “I can’t hear that … you talk like a little girl,” Rampe fired back at the official. Stringer converted the resultant set shot. Rampe, 28, is one of three co-captains for the Swans and his leadership qualities last year earned him a three-year extension on his contract after being recruited to the club in 2013. Wearing the No.24 guernsey, he’s set to clock up 150 games this season. Essendon coach John Worsfold, speaking before Channel Seven showed closer footage of Rampe’s vertical climb, suggested Myers was a “one per cent” chance of kicking the goal. “He was a long way out and it was pretty blustery out there, so it was going to be a miracle kick,” Worsfold said in the post-match press conference. According to Fox Sports on Saturday, the AFL umpires department had a chat to the umpire after the match but confirmed the “non-decision” to award a free kick was the “correct one”. AFL chief Gillon McLachlan told sports radio station SEN on Saturday morning: “For me, it seemed pretty practical umpiring because he gave him a warning and it didn’t impact the play”. -with AAP<doc-sep>Sydney Swans co-captain Dane Rampe has gotten away with the brain explosion of the season after umpires decided not to punish him for his "Spider Man" antics after the siren at the SCG. Under the letter of the law, Essendon could have been gifted a free kick at the centre of the goal-line to win them the game following Rampe’s moment of madness, where he climbed the goalpost as Bomber David Myers lined up an unlikely shot from 60 metres out. AFL Umpire’s boss Hayden Kennedy admitted that the incident could easily have cost the Swans the match, telling Channel 7 a different umpire could have taken a far dimmer view of Rampe’s extraordinary snap decision. Several Bombers players led by Jake Stringer immediately remonstrated with officials following the Myers’ miss, but the umpires dismissed the protest after deeming the shaking of the post had no impact on the kick. Umpire Andre Gianfagna was captured running from a distance and yelling "Down, down" at Rampe as he took to the post as if it were a palm tree, but by the time he was back on solid ground, the post was still shaking and Myers was into his shot. Rampe is known as one of the most reliable players in the competition and was on Thursday named as a squad player in the NSW AFL Greatest Team of all time. Camera Icon What was he thinking? But the goalpost climb wasn’t the first time Rampe lit up social media during the match. In the second quarter he told an umpire, "you talk like a little girl" after struggling to hear instructions that cost Sydney a free kick and a goal. Rampe will be relieved the "Spider Man" meltdown didn’t snatch away a joyous win and replace it with a moment of infamy. Ultimately Rampe got lucky that the umpires made a judgment call favourable to the Swans. "That’s the point that was stressed to us. That they didn’t feel like this actually affected it or it was going to do anything to affect the kick," said commentator Jimmy Bartel on 7. "But it’s hard. He hasn’t actually taken the shot yet. Clearly he wanted to get up there to touch it. "Yeah, I think it’s the right result. It would have been disappointing we get a game decided by that. But look, climbing it does shake it though. "The ball fell short but if it went sailing through and missed and was a point it would be very contentious. "I guess we’re lucky it didn’t get close." What made Rampe’s error in judgment more mystifying was the fact Myers was such an outside hope in the first place, with Essendon coach John Worsfold describing him as a "one per cent chance" to kick the goal. Bartel said he couldn’t believe what he was seeing watching live. "It was a good effort actually. That’s why I noticed it live," said Bartel. "Who is that flying off the back fence like Spider Man? He got a long way up. That’s a high climb."<doc-sep>AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has said the umpire was correct not to punish Sydney's Dane Rampe for climbing the goal post in the dying moments of the Swans' win over Essendon on Friday night. Key points: Sydney beat Essendon by five points after David Myers missed his final set shot Sydney beat Essendon by five points after David Myers missed his final set shot Swans co-captain Dane Rampe climbed on the goal post to distract his opponent Swans co-captain Dane Rampe climbed on the goal post to distract his opponent Moving or shaking the post is against AFL rules but no penalty was given Swans co-captain Rampe could have cost his side a much-needed victory when he decided to channel comic hero Spider-Man by jumping onto the SCG goal post as Bombers midfielder David Myers attempted to slot a match-winning goal from beyond the 50-metre arc Myers' shot fell well short and the Swans prevailed by five points in a Friday-night thriller, but Rampe's bizarre actions put him at risk of conceding a free kick in front of goal, which would have ensured the visitors claimed the four premiership points. AFL laws stipulate that players must not intentionally shake a goal or behind post. Speaking on ABC Grandstand Saturday morning, McLachlan praised the umpiring as "pragmatic". "Well, yes technically [it is a free kick], but I think like all things it's context where and when," McLachlan said. Just your friendly neighbourhood Spider-man. ( Supplied: Channel Seven "I'm not going to say whether it was right or wrong because I'll wait for the umpiring and footy department to do that, but I thought it was quite a pragmatic response from the practical, umpiring approach. "The ball hadn't been kicked, and it was a warning: 'get down or it's a free kick' in advance of the free kick. "These are all decisions in the umpire's mind but I do think context is important and the guy was 60 metres out, he hadn't kicked it, it didn't have any impact on the shot at goal. "It felt like good, pragmatic umpiring, but we'll see what the [football and umpiring] department says." Jake Stringer and Cale Hooker were among the Bombers to rush over to controlling umpire Andre Gianfagna following Myers' failed shot. Gianfagna, who saw the chaos unfold and had ordered Rampe "down, down! ", dismissed their complaints. The Seven Network suggested that umpires boss Hayden Kennedy was content with proceedings but admitted a different umpire may have penalised Rampe. "It would've been disappointing to have the game decided by that, but climbing, it does shake it though," Seven pundit and 2007 Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel said. Dane Rampe (left) normally uses his acrobatic ability more conventionally. ( AAP: Dan Himbrechts "It's the right result. "I noticed it live. Who is that flying off the back fence like Spider-Man? He got a long way up. That's a high climb. "I guess we're lucky it didn't get close." Essendon coach John Worsfold, speaking before Seven dug up footage of Rampe's rollick, suggested Myers was a "1 per cent" chance of kicking the goal. "He was a long way out and it was pretty blustery out there, so it was going to be a miracle kick," Worsfold said in the post-match press conference. Worsfold noted he was "really disappointed" about the result, which leaves the club with a 3-5 record. "We've won three games. We've got to win a lot more than that to get where we want." The Swans won by just five points to record their second win of the season. ( AAP: Craig Golding Franklin no certainty to return The Swans managed to climb back into the winners' circle, despite the absence of star forward Buddy Franklin, and coach John Longmire said that the Coleman Medallist is no certainty to return from a hamstring injury in round nine of the AFL season. The Swans were initially optimistic that Franklin would miss a single game because of what they believed to be a minor hamstring strain. However, Friday night's after-the-siren thriller was the third match from which the superstar has been sidelined. Franklin resumed running a week ago but failed to prove his fitness for the SCG clash with Essendon, which he watched from the coaches' box. Lance Franklin has missed the last three AFL matches for the Swans. ( AAP: Dylan Coker "I don't know. I really don't know," Swans coach John Longmire said after his side's five-point win over the Bombers. "I'm hopeful but he's no certainty. "I'm hoping he's able to ramp it up again on Monday." Sam Reid could also be at risk of missing the trip to Hobart to face North Melbourne, depending on how he pulls up after a knock to the hip. Longmire was quick to shoot down the notion that Isaac Heeney, who was below his best against Essendon, could be rested but admitted the young gun was physically battling. "He's got a couple of sore spots," Longmire said. "That's the kind of competitor he is, he doesn't make excuses. He just gets out and gets it done, works hard. "We understand how he's going physically but he's pretty tough." Isaac Heeney managed 14 disposals against Essendon, scoring one goal. ( AAP: Julian Smith Former Swans captain Kieren Jack was assessed for concussion on Friday night but given the all clear to continue playing. Essendon star Michael Hurley rolled his ankle during the upset but should be cleared to face Fremantle next weekend. "It was sore but he could still put weight on it, get out there and play," Bombers coach John Worsfold said. "You never really know how they pull up from it but we're confident he'll be OK." Longmire, whose team entered the match in last spot on the ladder, was full of praise for the club's youngsters but also captains Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy and Rampe. "They feel it as much as anyone when you're not winning," Longmire said. "They led from the front. All three were super." AAP<doc-sep>The AFL has reportedly issued a bizarre dismissal of Essendon’s protests surrounding Swans star Dane Rampe’s moment of madness on Friday night. It comes as Aussie media star Dave Hughes led widespread condemnation of the officiating — which ultimately cost Essendon a famous win. Rampe was immense for Sydney, but there is a real chance he should have cost his side the game. In plain sight of the umpires as Essendon midfielder David Myers was running in for a massive 60m shot at goal after the siren to win his team the game, Rampe ran and jumped up the goalpost, shaking it, in a clear violation of the laws of the game. Kids learn early not to shake the goalpost, but apparently not Rampe, who got away with one in epic fashion. According to a report, the AFL’s umpires review has cleared field umpire Andre Gianfagna of any wrongdoing, despite the swirling controversy surrounding the decision not to award the Bombers a match-winning free-kick. “Get down, get down,” Gianfagna yelled to Rampe at the time. His decision to caution Rampe instead of awarding Essendon a free kick ultimately decided the contest. Myers’ shot fell well short and the Swans prevailed by five points. The AFL Umpires have ticked off on Andre Gianfagna’s decision not to penalise Dane Rampe for climbing and shaking the post. Gianfagna yelled ‘down, down’ and that was enough to satisfy officials. @FOXFOOTY — Tom Morris (@tommorris32) May 10, 2019 AFL boss Gillon McLachlan also gave the umpires a preliminary thumbs up. “I’ll wait and see what the footy department says, but for me it seems pretty practical umpiring,” McLachlan told SEN. “Apparently there is lots of different camera angles. But he gave him the warning and the guy got down and it didn’t impact on the play. “That seemed to be a very practical response. People are getting into the technicalities of what the rule says, but if he’d stayed there it would have been a free kick. He gave him the warning and it didn’t impact the play. “It seemed a pretty pragmatic piece of umpiring.” The penalty for shaking the goalpost is a free kick at the centre of the goal line, which would have gifted the Bombers a one-point victory with a certain goal. The official laws of the game in regards to this read as the following: “A free kick shall be awarded against a player or official who intentionally shakes a goal or behind post either before or after a player has disposed of the football.” And it appears Essendon players knew it too with both Jake Stringer and Cale Hooker angrily remonstrating with the field umpire. Seven commentator and Geelong great Jimmy Bartel felt the Swans defender was lucky to get away with it. “I think the umpire does him a favour there,” Bartel said. “Hooker and Stringer are certainly asking the question — I think it’s the right result (non-call) but climbing it does shake it though.” Co-presenter Hamish McLachlan could not believe what he was seeing. “It’s a complete brain fade from Dane Rampe,” he said. “Rampe goes up and the goalpost is shaking. Several others were left to ask just what Rampe was doing with the stunt? The Seven Network suggested after the game that umpires boss Hayden Kennedy was content with proceedings but admitted a different umpire may have penalised Rampe. “It would’ve been disappointing to have the game decided by that, but climbing it does shake it though,” Seven pundit and 2007 Brownlow medallist Bartel said. “It’s the right result. “I noticed it live. Who is that flying off the back fence like Spider-Man? He got a long way up. That’s a high climb. “I guess we’re lucky it didn’t get close.” Essendon coach John Worsfold, speaking before Seven dug up footage of Rampe’s rollick, suggested Myers was a “one per cent” chance of kicking the goal. “He was a long way out and it was pretty blustery out there, so it was going to be a miracle kick,” Worsfold said in the post-match press conference. It was a controversial night for Rampe, who was also involved in what could have been a crucial moment in the second quarter when he was caught holding the ball by Stringer, who kicked a goal from the ensuing free kick. And Rampe rounded on the umpire then, telling him “you talk like a little girl”. "You talk like a little girl." Dane Rampe had some words for the umpire. #AFLSwansDons pic.twitter.com/MEEKhWVbsD — AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) May 10, 2019 Outside of that he did a brilliant job on Essendon’s forwards in a tight and thrilling contest but his jumping up the goalpost should serve as a talking point for at least days to come. HUGHESY LEADS OUTCRY OF ‘RIDICULOUS’ AFL VERDICT Aussie media personality Dave Hughes has led the widespread scorching surrounding the AFL’s inexplicable decision to snub Essendon’s protests. Hughes labled it “ridiculous” that the umpires saw Rampe break the laws of the game, but discarded the rule book when it came time to blow their whistles. In a series of fired-up posts on his Twitter account, Hughes said Essendon should officially protest the result of the game and take up a fight to have the four points taken off the Swans and given to them. No way goal umpire, four boundary umpires and three central umpires could miss this. Obviously decided to not pay it. It’s against the rules. Essendon should appeal the game result. Ridiculous. https://t.co/xTyxQBOnMu — Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) May 10, 2019 If umpires don’t know rules what hope do rest of us have. https://t.co/cERsBjvMy7 — Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) May 10, 2019 I’m hearing @afl have ticked off goal post shaking cos ball didn’t make distance. So if anyone taking kick from outside fifty after siren it’s no rules from now on. King hits, whatever. Just go for it. — Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) May 10, 2019 Hughes was far from alone in condemning the AFL’s swift attempt to dismiss the outcry. The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph labled the fiasco “a bats*** crazy 20 seconds of football”.<doc-sep>
Sydney's Dane Rampe had an interesting night against Essendon … Picture: Phil Hillyard AFL pundits and reporters have been left flabbergasted by Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe’s post-siren brainfade with his side on the brink of a thrilling victory. Rampe had a moment of after-the-siren madness after he jumped onto an SCG goalpost and started climbing it, risking gifting Essendon a shock victory. The Swans defender’s actions came as Bombers midfielder David Myers attempted to slot a match-winning goal from beyond the 50m arc on Friday night. Myers’ shot would fall short and the Swans prevailed by five points. But Rampe’s bizarre acrobatics put him at risk of conceding a free kick in front of goal, which would have ensured the visitors claimed the four premiership points. Herald Sun and Fox Footy reporter Jon Ralph was shocked by Rampe’s decision. “What the hell was Rampe thinking? Could easily have cost them 50m and the game. Climbing up the goalpost like a little boy,” Ralph said on Twitter. “Rampe had literally climbed half way up the goalpost padding when the ball left the boot of Myers for the last kick of the game.” Ralph wasn’t the only reporter and pundit left stunned. While Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes was of the belief Rampe should’ve been penalised and that the possible free kick was too harsh a penalty, the Swans should never have put himself in that risky situation in the first place. “I would think we’re saying ‘Dane Rampe, what are you doing?’” Cornes said on SEN’s Crunch Time. “It’s a harsh penalty, but you’re an experienced player, you know that you can’t do that. You saw (Fremantle’s) Brad Hill throw grass the other day. You should know the rules as a professional player. “My blame, I think in hindsight — and I hope it would be — would be on Rampe. Yes it’s unfortunate you’d lose the game of that, but it’s a poor look.” AFL laws stipulate that players must not intentionally shake a goal or behind post. But foxfooty.com.au reported on Saturday morning that the AFL umpires’ department had privately ticked off on the contentious non-free kick. Jake Stringer and Cale Hooker were among the Bombers to rush over to controlling umpire Andre Gianfagna following Myers’ failed shot. Gianfagna, who saw the chaos unfold and had ordered Rampe “down, down!”, dismissed their complaints. Coach John Longmire celebrates the Swans win with Dane Rampe. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia Speaking on SEN, Sydney co-captain Luke Parker didn’t elaborate on the incident but said he’d never think to pull off a similar move. “It would have been shattering (if it’d cost Sydney the game). He was incredible that last quarter so we will forgive him for that. But sometimes I’m not sure what goes through his head,” Parker told Crunch Time. “I’ve never even thought to climb a goalpost. It is in the rule books, apparently. It has crossed Dane Rampe’s mind.” The Seven Network suggested that umpires boss Hayden Kennedy was content with proceedings but admitted a different umpire may have penalised Rampe. “It would’ve been disappointing to have the game decided by that, but climbing it does shake it though,” Seven pundit and 2007 Brownlow medallist Bartel said. “It’s the right result. “I noticed it live. Who is that flying off the back fence like Spider-Man? He got a long way up. That’s a high climb. “I guess we’re lucky it didn’t get close.” Essendon coach John Worsfold, speaking before Seven dug up footage of Rampe’s rollick, suggested Myers was a “one per cent” chance of kicking the goal. “He was a long way out and it was pretty blustery out there, so it was going to be a miracle kick,” Worsfold said in the post-match press conference. It wasn’t the first time on Friday night that Rampe found himself in hot water with the whistleblowers. Rampe, told to play on in the second quarter after the umpire deemed he stepped off the mark, was caught holding the ball by Stringer. “I can’t hear that … you talk like a little girl,” Rampe fired back at the official. Stringer converted the resultant set shot.