If you don't mind, umpire

Nick Riewoldt appeals for a free kick in a wrestle with Tom McDonald Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WE PICK the biggest umpiring eyebrow-raisers of the weekend.

Each week we'll nominate the most controversial, baffling and unusual umpiring calls - all the interests of raising issues of rule interpretation so important to our game.

You can have a say by leaving a comment below or joining the debate on Facebook and Twitter.

We'll try to get answers from AFL House - but with Jeff Gieschen on holiday, the umps might have to speak for themselves.

This week we managed to avoid any video review blunders - in fact, there were a couple of occasions where the system worked as it should, with a quick clarification confirming the goal umpire's call - and the sliding rule was apparently given a bye.

But we were left with some long-term issues.

Lance Franklin grapples with Eric Mackenzie. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WHO'S HOLDING WHO? (1)

It's fair to say Lance Franklin has a hate-hate relationship with the umps. He has given away a lot more frees than he has received over his career and the tally was against him again on Friday night - one for, four against. One of those four was a holding the man decision in favour of Eric Mackenzie after Buddy snaffled what appeared to be a great one-handed grab in the forward pocket during the second quarter.

Buddy was pulling up his socks ready to take a shot at goal when he realised the decision had gone against him, and he wasn't happy. Neither were Hawk fans but taking a look at the contest above, who would you give the free to? Franklin had a handful of Mackenzie's jumper and the Eagles backman had two handfuls of Franklin's arms. Probably best to just let it go.

Franklin may have got away with one moments later when he charged through Nic Naitanui, flattening Nic Nat with an accidental elbow to the face. The ump waved play on.

Lance Franklin cleans up Nic Naitanui. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WHO'S HOLDING WHO? (2)

The umpire was faced with a similar dilemma at the MCG on Saturday and in this case the forward won out, with Nick Riewoldt handed a free kick at the top of the goalsquare against Tom McDonald. McDonald seemed hardly done by, with any hold minimal at best - although it worked against him that he had his back to the incoming ball. Fox Footy expert Alastair Lynch summed it up simply: "That is a terrible decision." Riewoldt's plea to the umpire worked, but it earnt him the jeers of Demon fans for the rest of the afternoon.

Nick Riewoldt shoots for goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

DAWES SLAMMED

Melbourne didn't get a lot of help from the umps, with the Riewoldt call coming soon after the umps had a hand in another Saints goal. McDonald was involved again, with his kick from the back pocket falling into the arms of Sean Dempster 65m out. The intended target Chris Dawes was in the air when Dempster took the ball and his fist just dislodged the ball from the defender's hands. The umpire paid a 50m penalty straight away, bringing Dempster to the top of the goalsquare, from where he easily slotted the 10th goal of his career in his 150th game.

Here is Mark Robinson's take in The Tackle: "It wasn't time wasting, it was a player giving effort in a contest ...'Spirit of the game' is not written in the rule book, but surely it has a place in the game."

St Kilda was also lucky in the first quarter when Justin Koschitzke somehow turned a chance to kick in easy goal from the goalsquare into a clumsy pile-up. The sympathetic ump gave him a free for high contact.

WENN SHOULD AN UMP GET INVOLVED IN THE GAME?

It was Stuart Wenn's Peter Carey moment. Wenn, an ump with more than 300 games' experience, unwittingly found himself playing a key role in the final quarter at the Gabba yesterday and, unlike Carey - who famously marked a ball in Perth in 1999 - he directly assisted in a goal.

With the Cats leading by 40 points four minutes into the term, a charging Steve Johnson skewed a kick across the centre square. Wenn jumped but couldn't get out of the way, and the ball rebounded off his boot to a grateful Dayne Zorko, who strolled to 55m and banged home a big goal.

It didn't seem too significant at the time - and the rule clearly states if the ball hits an umpire it is play on - but when Brisbane piled on seven of the next eight goals to steal and amazing win, Wenn's goal assist took on a whole new meaning.

"It was his first kick for the evening, and he certainly had an influence," Fox Footy expert Gerard Healy said.

Brisbane Lions veteran Ash McGrath has had a 200th game to remember, with the West Aussie helping his side to a remarkable five-point win over Geelong.

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Moloney still can't believe it

Brisbane's Brent Moloney spoils Geelong star Steve Johnson at the Gabba. Picture: Darren England Source: News Limited

FINAL-quarter hero Brent Moloney says he's still pinching himself after Brisbane's amazing AFL comeback win against Geelong.

The former Melbourne player had a key role in the Lions' five-point win at the Gabba, booting two goals in the final term as the home team overcame a 52-point deficit in the third quarter to win by five points.

Veteran forward Ash McGrath completed the fairytale by kicking a 55m goal after the siren to seal the win in his 200th match.

"An amazing feeling, can't really believe we won the game," Moloney said this morning.

"The way the boys fought and took the game on in that last quarter was fantastic."

Brisbane have produced one of the great come backs in AFL history hauling in a 52 point deficit against Geelong.

Overcoming the 52-point margin was the biggest comeback to win in the Lions history and the equal-eighth largest comeback in VFL-AFL history.

Reluctant hero McGrath shied away from waiting media today, though clearly Moloney and his teammates were delighted for the 30-year-old.

"You couldn't write a better script for your 200th game to mark the ball with seconds to go and kick a goal from outside 50," Moloney said.

"He's one of the most liked guys at the footy club ... It was great to see him kick the winning goal.''

Moloney said the challenge now for the Lions is to use their stirring win to propel themselves out of the lower reaches of the competition.

Next up is table-topping Hawthorn in Tasmania with Moloney hoping for another heroic effort.

"We've got to do that every week,'' he said.

"Hawthorn, another big challenge, there in Tassie and we're up for it.''

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Player in coma after on-field incident

South Barwon co-captain Casey Tutungi suffered a suspected serious spinal injury in a match on Saturday. Source: News Limited

GEELONG skipper Joel Selwood and young star Allen Christensen have thrown their support behind a local Geelong footballer who suffered horrific injuries in an on-field clash.

South Barwon footballer Casey Tutungi was placed in an induced coma with a suspected broken back yesterday.

The former Geelong VFL-listed player, was flown to the Austin Hospital last night after running head first into an opponent during the late stages of his team's clash against St Joseph's at McDonald's Reserve.

South Barwon football manager Bill McCann said the scene was shocking.

"He started yelling out `I can't move, I can't feel anything'. There was no feeling, no pain,'' he told the Geelong Advertiser this morning.

"From where I stood, it was a pure accident. He had the ball and had just picked it up and he has lifted his head and headbutted the bloke's belly button and didn't move from then on.

"There was certainly no angst from any of the players, he actually got a free kick paid against him for dropping the ball.''

Tutungi never lost consciousness, and team mates immediately started screaming for a stretcher.

The ambulance arrived within 10 minutes and the game, which had about six minutes left to run, was called off.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the player was treated at the ground before being taken via ambulance to Geelong Hospital with neck and suspected spinal injuries.

He was later flown to the Austin Hospital.

South Barwon, which is unbeaten and has been the powerhouse club of the GFL for the past decade, won the match 11.14 (80) to 6.12 (48).

Players have gathered at the club this morning to be briefed on the update of Tutungi's condition.

The former Lorne star, who has also played for the Casey Scorpions during his career, has been a dominant local player in recent seasons and was part of the GFL's interleague team which won the Victorian Country championship title over Goulburn Valley at Simonds Stadium last month.

The injury has sparked well-wishers to flood social media, with Selwood among those to take to Twitter to offer support to the 27 year-old.

"Sending best wishes to Casey Tutungi from everyone at the Cats!'' Selwood wrote, while Christensen tweeted:

"Thoughts and prayers go out to casey tutungi #spirit''

Geelong Lord Mayor Keith Fagg, members of the St Joseph's football club and the Geelong VFL side were among others to send tweets of support.

Friends also flooded his Facebook site with messages of support.

"He is a much-loved player,'' McCann said.

"He is certainly held in very high esteem.''

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SuperCoach studs and duds

HURTING: An injured Shannon Hurn arrives at Perth Airport this morning. He scored just eight SuperCoach points. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij Source: PerthNow

SEE who starred and who stunk it up in SuperCoach this weekend.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 61 defeated by RICHMOND 121

Bulldogs studs: Ryan Griffen (143) had 38 disposals including eight inside 50s while Matthew Boyd (137) helped himself to 34 in a head-to-head duel with Trent Cotchin. Clay Smith provided a spark around the stoppages.

Bulldogs duds: Daniel Giansiracusa (14) didn't get much of a run as the substitute while Nathan Hrovat (30) could only manage six disposals. Luke Dahlhaus (42) butchered his 10 disposals.

Tigers studs: Jack Riewoldt (108) finished with three goals and three score assists, Tyrone Vickery (108) rose to the occasion booting two goals while Bachar Houli (103) rebounded at will out of defence.

Tigers duds: Nick Vlastuin (31) slammed into the rookie wall finishing with five disposals while Steve Morris (56) worked hard in defence.

ST KILDA 104 d MELBOURNE 69

Saints studs: Farren Ray starred with 29 disposals and seven marks for 152 points. Leigh Montagna racked up 35 disposals for his 143 while Jack Steven, Nick Riewoldt and Sean Dempster were locked on 99 points apiece.

Saints duds: Ben McEvoy (53) was subbed out with concussion thereby limiting his output. Dylan Roberton (61) has dropped off after making a flying start in Saints strips.

Demons studs: Colin Garland (144) broke new ground cracking the tonne for a third consecutive week, the first Demon to do so in 2013. Nathan Jones was as consistent as every scoring 118 points off 23 disposals.

Demons duds: Chris Dawes (30) carried an injury into the match and it showed, struggling to leave his mark close to goal. Dean Kent (49) struggled while Jimmy Toumpas (52) was schooled by one-time No.4 draft pick Farren Ray on the wing.

PORT ADELAIDE 72 def SYDNEY 54

Power stud: ROBBIE Gray was instrumental in the last quarter and duly rewarded with a game-high 124. Wingard scored 103, while the "Hoff" was one of eight Port players to crack the ton.

Get every SuperCoach score from Round 13

Power dud: PITTARD returned but was forced to start at the sub. He was on -4 at the last change and finished with 18. Just 79 for Hamish Hartlett.

Swans stud: WHEN Jack and Kennedy top the scoring you'd think surely the Swans have had a win. Another impressive 84 for gun father-son pick Tom Mitchell.

Swans dud: GOODES was subbed out injured at the last change, finishing with 63. Just 60 for Dan Hannebery.

HAWTHORN 123 def WEST COAST 103

Hawks stud: ONLY three Hawks hit triple figures in a surprise. One was Jarryd Roughead who's bag of five earned him 145 points, while Hodge and Lewis also raised the bat.

Hawks dud: GRANT Birchall. He was subbed after a knock to the knee and finished with 40. Oh dear! Sam Mitchell's 74 also let plenty down.

Eagles stud: JOSH Kennedy was the man for the Eagles. His five goals equated to 125 points ensuring another price rise is imminent. Dean Cox (115) and Nic Nat (114) again showed their value as the best ruck tandem in the league.

Eagles dud: UNLUCKY if you had Shannon Hurn. He was subbed out in the second quarter with an ankle injury, finishing with just eight points. That hurts! Another so-so score of 77 for the Frenchman Mark LeCras.

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