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A bit late to do an autopsy but....
‘8 unwarranted free kicks’: Ex-AFL umpire Troy Pannell’s controversial calls
Footage from a controversial AFL match has a whistleblower raising questions about how ex-umpire Troy Pannell made those free kick calls. SEE THE VIDEO.
2 min read
August 8, 2025 - 2:05PM
National News Network
Did this ex-AFL umpire give too many free kicks?
Controversial umpire Troy Pannell giving free kicks during the Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows match at Marvel Stadium in 2016.... more
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The AFL has declined to investigate a controversial AFL match umpired by Troy Pannell, despite one umpire claiming he counted eight unwarranted free kicks to the Western Bulldogs.
A former AFL umpire has checked the tape of the match between the Bulldogs and the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium in 2016.
Pannell paid 17 free kicks to the Bulldogs and only one to the Crows in that match, which the Dogs won by 15 points.
The match has hit the headlines again after Pannell was convicted of contempt of court for failing to file a defence to a claim from his former employer SeaRoad Shipping.
Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell. Picture: Michael Klein
The company alleged that Pannell misappropriated $8.7 million over more than a decade for container repairs that were never done.
Pannell was due to file a defence to the claim by July 13 from his jail cell after he was sentenced to 11 weeks in prison for dodging court appearances.
AFL umpire Troy Pannell departs from the Supreme Court of Victoria. He was sentenced to 11 weeks in jail in late July. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele
A former AFL umpire who reviewed the footage said he estimated Mr Pannell paid free kicks with a “Western Bulldogs bias as his default” with at least “eight unwarranted” decisions.
“For some of the free kicks it’s obvious he’s gone looking for a free kick to pay,” the former umpire said.
“The alarming one for me is the centre bounce one to Tom Liberatore. As the bouncing umpire your focus is almost solely on the rucks.
“The non controlling umpire’s job is to watch the midfielders for holds.
“To pay such a marginal free kick when those two players should not even be his focus suggests to me he was searching for a free kick to pay in that instance as he knew those two players would likely be engaging each other”.
Ex-AFL umpire Troy Pannell. Picture: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images
The former senior whistleblower said the footage raised questions about how Mr Pannell could have made those decisions.
“An umpire of his experience shouldn’t have been making those types of errors,” he said.
“Eight unwarranted free kicks is unforgivable. In umpiring we’re taught that you would rather miss something than pay something that is marginal or isn’t there.”
Pannell’s life has fallen apart since his alleged fraud was discovered last year.
Pannell was living in his car before he was arrested after an accident in June, but has told a court that intends to file a defence in SeaRoad Shipping’s civil claim.
Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell. Picture: Glenn Ferguson
Many of the free kicks paid in the match were to Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore, while Adelaide’s Scott Thompson was pinged several times by Pannell. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of the players.
Three other umpires who viewed the footage raised similar concerns.
Another umpire said: “I count six unwarranted free kicks and six 50/50s. Either way it’s a very bad day at the office for an experienced top level official.”
“They can wage a heavy case for dodgy decisions but I don’t think they cost the team the game.”
The 2016 loss denied Adelaide a top four spot and secured seventh place for the Bulldogs, where they led their unprecedented march towards their first flag for 62 years.
The AFL declined to answer questions about whether it would investigate Mr Pannell’s performance.
The AFL was approached for comment.
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Port finished 2nd on the ladder so they got lucky there. GWS is the other one that is softer than it could be.
Fun drinking game; every time Geelong has a shot, you have to have a shot, too.
It's all fun and games till you're dead by 3/4 timeFun drinking game; every time Geelong has a shot, you have to have a shot, too.
Stupid game.Fun drinking game; every time Geelong has a shot, you have to have a shot, too.
Call 000?
Replays count as wellFun drinking game; every time Geelong has a shot, you have to have a shot, too.
If so, they will start tomorrow ahead of us on%
