Did He Throw It? Australia Goes Into Meltdown Over Jack Higgins’ Goal (?) of the Year

Twitter, already a hellscape, has become even more argumentative as a result of the ref's call.

Richmond triumphed over Collingwood at the MCG yesterday by 43 points, but six of those points are proving to be pretty contentious.

In the third quarter, just before Richmond ran away with the game, Tigers’ forward Jack Higgins executed a bicycle kick right at the boundary line and delivered an AFL Goal of the Year contender.

JACK HIGGINS!

He pulls a rabbit out of the hat for a @coateshire Goal of the Year contender! #AFLTigersPies pic.twitter.com/yXUukeKmM4

— AFL (@AFL) July 28, 2018

Except… did he?

The goal was reviewed by a video referee, but it was left to the goal umpire to make the final call. He reacted accordingly:

However, the debate has not died down online, with many arguing it was a throw, because Higgins seemed to set himself up for the kick.

I'm astonished how many people are saying Jack Higgins' goal was illegitimate. Propelling the ball from hand to foot is NOT a throw, regardless of whether it initially travels up or down.

— Adam KBulman (@adamkbulman) July 28, 2018

What did you make of Jack Higgins' goal?

Tim: I thought it was a throw, but I'm happy for it not to be.

Garry: I couldn't help but feel it was a throw.

— Garry and Tim (@SENBreakfast) July 29, 2018

Jack Higgins goal was NOT a throw. If he was tackled, threw it up and kicked it the umpire would say "got a boot to it".. same thing here. Goal of the year. #AFLTigersPies

— Elijah Ballerini (@ElijahBallerini) July 28, 2018

Any reason why that goal from Jack Higgins wasn't deemed throwing the ball before he kicked it? Incorrect disposal?

— Fiona (@PuttyMcK) July 28, 2018

If you want to rob Jack Higgins of one of the smartest goals I’ve ever seen on a technicality, we can’t be friends. #AFLTigersPies

— Nick Rynne (@NickRynne) July 28, 2018

And it goes on and on like that for a bit. We can probably expect the debate to remain until the announcement of the Coates Hire Goal of the Year at the end of the season.

However, the history books has recorded Higgins' goal as precisely that: a goal.

It's also propelled Higgins, a 19-year-old who left school in Year 11, into the realm of Richmond legend.

As Tigers coach, Damien Hardwick, told press after the match, "They don't teach that in VCE."

Header Image: Twitter (@AFL) & iStock.com/aurielaki