- Brisbane Lions torched Port Adelaide with highest ever score
- Including controversial third quarter goal for Cam Rayner
- One AFL legend baffled at the decision to award a 50-yard free kick
Footy fans were left collectively stunned after an incident involving Brisbane Lions star Cameron Rayner against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The Lions scored a dozen straight goals in their highest ever scoreline against Port to win 23.14 (152) to 10.13 (73) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
But it was a moment in the third quarter that stunned the commentators, when Brisbane were awarded a controversial 50-yard free-kick despite Port Adelaide’s astonished defender appearing to do nothing at all.
The 24-year-old Rayner lost control of the ball midway through the third quarter and while trying to regain the Sherrin, he headbutted Port Adelaide’s Willem Drem, who simply stood his ground.
Incredibly, Rayner was then awarded the 50-yard free-kick by the on-field referee.
Footy fans were collectively stunned after an incident involving Brisbane Lions star Cameron Rayner (pictured right) against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday
Lions star Cameron Rayner (left) lost control of the ball and while trying to win back the Sherrin, he headbutted the home side’s Willem Drem (right) but was awarded the free kick.
‘He headbutted him! His head hit him!” a stunned Hawks champion Dermott Brereton said in a commentary.
‘How can a referee pay for that as a free kick? That’s a shameful free kick,” he continued as the subsequent goal was kicked.
‘That’s a ridiculous free kick. He ran into him, head first. [Port Adelaide’s Willem] Drew didn’t even move.
‘Nothing is going right at all with Port.’
Rayner’s questionable free-kick capped a day to forget for Ken Hinkley’s men, whose premiership aspirations have now been thrown into doubt.
The thumping 79-point win comes as the perfect moment for Brisbane, who are on the rise after a slow start to the reason.
Cameron Rayner, pictured tackling Port Adelaide’s Logan Evans, was handed a gift goal by the referee’s decision to award a 50-metre penalty for the Willem Drew incident
The Lions’ Eric Hipwood (pictured) had a day out, scoring five goals against Port Adelaide
Eric Hipwood was the star, scoring five goals for the away side in the one-sided match.
Port, who lost x-factor Willie Rioli (calf) before the match, folded meekly when the Lions attacked and were unable to score a goal for about 45 minutes.
Vice-captain Zak Butters (35 touches, eight possessions) and captain Connor Rozee (28 possessions) found few effective allies in the Power’s fourth defeat in seven games.
Striker Mitch Georgiades scored three goals as Port crashed to an unwanted record: their previous heaviest defeat to the Lions was by 69 points in 2006.
Port Adelaide will take on St Kilda at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium next week.
