Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is questioning whether the AFL score review system is scaring goal umpires from making calls.

Port lost by one point to GWS on Saturday night in an Adelaide Oval encounter punctuated by a contentious goal-line decision.

Power defender Tom Clurey had the ball in between a GWS goal and point post in the second quarter.

The goal umpire believed the ball crossed the line and signalled for a score review.

Clurey protested that the ball hadn’t gone over the line – and the score review replays proved him correct.

Under AFL rules the field umpire had to re-start play with a ball-up at the top of the goal square – and the resumption led to Giant Jeremy Cameron snapping a goal.

“I don’t know what I make of it,” Hnkley said of the incident.

“Has score review now frightened the umpires to the point where they are not prepared to make the call and back their call?

“I have seen it: there’s no way you call it a point unless you’re 100 per cent correct.

“By God, the umpires, they get such a tough job.

“And now we have got score review – whether it works for you or works against you, you almost can’t win.

“It’s just disappointing because the very next stoppage, they kick a goal.

“We were running it (the ball) out and it ends up at a stoppage and Cameron kicks a goal.”

Port also copped another controversial call when just three points down in the 10th minute of the final quarter.

GWS rookie Jackson Hately took a mark at half-forward but was given a 50m penalty for late contact from Port’s Karl Amon.

Hately was taken to 20 metres from goal and converted what was the Giants’ last goal of the game.

“By the letter of the law it’s a correct decision,” Hinkley said.

“And if you pay them all the time that is fine.”