Collingwood coach Craig McRae has slammed the AFL’s video technology, insisting better cameras need to be brought into the competition.
McRae was left confused after Magpies wingman Patrick Lipinski was potentially denied a goal in the last quarter of Friday night’s thrilling 13.11 (89) to 12.13 (85) win over North Melbourne.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Craig McRae slams AFL’s goal-review technology
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The goal umpire’s soft call was a behind, after North’s Cam Zurhaar touched the ball.
But the ARC (AFL Review Centre) reviewed the decision to see if Zurhaar made contact with the ball before it crossed the line.
After looking at numerous replays, the ARC judged “there is insufficient evidence to determine if the ball is touched before or after crossing the back of the goal line”.
“I’ve got a strong opinion,” McRae said when asked about the Lipinski decision.
“I don’t often share it, but the technology is not up to scratch.
“I know that because I’ve seen technology out there that’s way better than what we’re using, and the AFL have seen it too.
“The decision itself is what it is, but the technology doesn’t show the full picture.
“It misses a frame.
“It probably looked like it was touched, but insufficient evidence, we’ve got technology that’s there to be used. Not sure why the AFL are resisting using it. Now, I’m not privy to any conversation, other than I’ve seen the footage.”
McRae a “private company” had the tech and he had seen “the frame-by-frame capability”.
“Now that’s only one version, I’m sure there’s more,” he said.
“This is a pretty amazing, tight competition, with big stakes and grand finals decided by inconclusive footage.
“Not sure that’s the world we want to live in in 2026.”
The AFL has previously explained the cost would prohibit introducing newer technology, saying every ground that hosts an AFL match would need to be upgraded, even rarely used venues.
But Collingwood did benefit from an ARC decision in the third quarter when Harry Perryman stretched to touch the ball and deny Harry Sheezel kicking a crucial goal for North.
