West Coast hero Luke Shuey has branded the debate over his contentious last-minute free kick against Port Adelaide as irrelevant.
With his side trailing by four points with less than 30 seconds remaining in extra time at Adelaide Oval, Shuey was paid a free kick for high contact then kicked a goal after the siren to secure a stunning elimination final win over the Power.
The decision, made by umpire Chris Donlon, has been hotly debated since.
Port’s Jared Polec was adjudged to have infringed when his right arm slipped up around Shuey’s neck after initially starting around his bicep area.
A change in interpretation of the high contact rule made by the AFL before the season states a player shouldn’t be paid a free if he shrugs, drops his knees, ducks or lifts his arm to bring on the high contact.
The AFL gave the decision its seal of approval on Sunday morning and Power coach Ken Hinkley thought it was there, but many disagree.
Asked for his thoughts on the subject, Shuey declined to get involved.
“That’s for (others) to decide … it’s irrelevant to us, we are worried about moving on to GWS this week,” Shuey told the Nine Network on Sunday morning.
The 27-year-old displayed nerves of steel to slot the winner from 40m out on a 45-degree angle to send his team into a semi-final against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said there was no one he would rather have lined up for goal in that situation than Shuey.
“The actual circumstances and the outcome of the whole thing probably didn’t hit me until after I kicked the goal … it all felt pretty normal up until then,” Shuey said.
“I have watched on over the last few years and seen guys kick goals after the siren, or missed goals, and always wondered what it would be like to be in that situation, so it was nice to experience that.”