A
Set small text size

A
Set the default text size

A
Set large text size

WAFL grand final umpires have come under fire after an extraordinary, controversial end to the decider which left East Perth players furious.

With minor premiers and red-hot favourites South Fremantle leading by just two points with only seconds remaining, after a fierce comeback from the Royals from 21 points down midway through the last quarter, Bulldog and former St Kilda AFL player Matt Parker was penalised for a white-hot holding the ball decision in the middle of Optus Stadium, after being run down by Jordyn Baker.

However, the ball hadn’t been returned to Baker before the final siren sounded, with Bulldogs players immediately celebrating what they thought was a premiership win, while Aaron Drage, who the ball had spilled to, kicked it away in jubilation.

But even as the Bulldogs song began playing over the stadium sound system and officials began setting up for the post-match ceremony, Royals players were staging a protest, with defender Corey Watts adamant a 50m penalty should be awarded, which would take Baker within scoring range for a chance to win the game after the siren.

WATCH the vision in the above video player.

“East Perth are claiming the ball was kicked away – they want a 50m penalty!” Channel 7 commentator Paul Persic exclaimed.

“The Bulldogs are all running back to defend – they’re going to have to hold this … this is controversial! They’re wheeling the stage out onto the ground! This is unbelievable!

“The umpires are discussing this … all the East Perth players are arguing.”

In further drama, it was claimed the Royals also called for a head count amid the protests, with several South Fremantle players charging from the interchange bench onto the field to celebrate.

As boos rang out, the umpires made a controversial ruling, awarding Baker the kick but denying him a 50m penalty as post-game fireworks machines were hastily removed from the playing field.

The Royal was forced to take the shot at goal from 90 metres out, with his torpedo punt after the siren predictably falling short, at last sealing the Bulldogs’ 8.8 (56) to 8.6 (54) win.

East Perth players continued to vehemently protest the decision, with Channel 7’s Trent Cooper reporting they were ‘throwing mouthguards – they are not happy!’

Speaking post-game, Bulldogs star Jake Florenca was one of many left scrambling for answers.

“That was unbelievable – I don’t even know what happened,” he told 7.

“I just heard the siren, and then everyone was saying it was 50. I didn’t know what was going on, I was in the midst of celebrating.”

The controversy quickly sparked backlash on social media, with footy fans claiming East Perth had been robbed of a chance to win the game after the siren.

WAFL grand final has been stolen. Free kick in centre paid to EP, siren sounds, SF player in possession of the ball kicked it away so had to be 50m but not paid. Criminal. Proves umps are idiots. #WAFL #morons #stolen

— Tiger Tom (@Tommy10cents) September 21, 2025

It’s taken me an hour to calm down but absolutely disgraceful end to the WAFL GF. @EastPerthFC should’ve been awarded a 50-metre penalty after the siren! Umps got it so wrong. A GF should never be decided by incompetent umpiring! Farkkkkk

— Brendan Foster (@BrendanfFoster) September 21, 2025

Former West Coast premiership player Will Schofield was scathing, writing on X that the decision was a ‘butchering by the umpires’.

“50m penalty should have been paid,” he wrote.

That is a butchering by the umpires in the WAFL grand final.

50m penalty should have been paid.

— Will Schofield (@WillSchofield) September 21, 2025

AFL Law 19.2 states a 50m penalty can be awarded if a player ‘has not returned the football directly and on the full to the Player awarded the Mark or Free Kick’ or ‘engages in any conduct which delays or impedes the play’.

However, the decision has been reportedly ticked off by WAFL officials, with the league deeming a time-wasting 50m penalty cannot be awarded after the siren.