Beveridge questions umpires after Bulldogs' dramatic three-point win over Collingwood

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge raised questions about umpiring decisions after his side escaped with a dramatic three-point win over Collingwood in Friday night's AFL wildcard final.

Dispute over the final shot

Collingwood's Tim Membrey marked the ball with around 34–35 seconds remaining on the clock, his side trailing by four points. He began his set-shot routine but ultimately kicked for goal after the siren had sounded, missing to the right — sealing the Bulldogs' win and eliminating Collingwood from the finals.

After the match, Beveridge said the 30-second shot clock had run out before Membrey began his run-up, meaning umpires should have called play-on rather than allowing the set shot to proceed. "It's a pretty obvious one to call play-on, isn't it?" he said, adding that with four umpires on the ground he was surprised the moment was missed. Beveridge admitted he initially thought Membrey's kick had gone through for a goal while watching from the bench, and only realised otherwise from his own players' celebrations near the goal line.

According to Nine.com.au, AFL legend Jonathan Brown said there would have been an "absolute riot" had umpires stopped Membrey and called play-on instead. The same outlet reports that News Corp journalist Jon Ralph later said the AFL had backed the umpires' call, stating Membrey began his run-up one second before the shot clock expired — a detail not mentioned in the other sources.

How the game unfolded, and what's next

Beveridge conceded his team did not handle the closing minutes well, having conceded six goals in a wild final quarter. With about a minute remaining, Sam Davidson kicked a long behind that gave Collingwood the chance to go end-to-end for Membrey's eventual set shot. Beveridge said the Bulldogs took unnecessary risks and failed to control the clock, though he praised the overall effort, noting several less-experienced players stepped up under pressure. Aaron Naughton and Arty Jones were both credited with clutch efforts that helped the Bulldogs regain the lead twice late in the contest.

The win was the Bulldogs' eighth this season by single-digit margins and seventh by less than a kick. The club now advances to an elimination final next weekend against either Geelong or Adelaide, but will be without midfielder Matt Kennedy, who will enter concussion protocols after failing to finish Friday's game.