Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says he understands Essendon supporters' frustrations about umpiring decisions from the Pies’ four-point win over Essendon on Anzac Day.
Umpire Shaun Ryan clarified five decisions in the back half of the game on SEN’s Crunch Time, saying they were all correct.
When Collingwood was 10 points up in the last quarter, Jack Crisp escaped a free kick despite being run down by Joe Daniher after dodging another tackler beforehand.
Buckley admits that the call was 50-50.
“That could’ve easily been given holding the ball because of the length of time it took Crispy to dispose of the ball,” the Magpies coach told SEN's Whateley.
“He got through the first tackle so he loses his prior opportunity, which is a joke because there shouldn’t be any prior.
“If you possess the ball, dispose of the ball, it’s black and white, free kick. If you do, you’re fine.”
“It really is about flow of play, what’s been accepted and allowed by the umpire through the game because each game has its own feel, has its own flow,” he said.
“We expect these rules to be rigid but we want the interpretation to be consistent across the competition as much as we can."
Collingwood takes on Port Adelaide on Friday night at the MCG, hoping to back up the win over Essendon.
Hear Nathan Buckley on SEN's Whateley in the player below.