THE AFL’S goal review system has plunged to new lows after farcical scenes at the MCG.

In a major embarrassment to the league, Melbourne’s James Frawley’s first-quarter set shot was called a goal despite clearly being punched over the line by Gold Coast defender Rory Thompson.

The goal umpire had initially called Frawley’s 50m attempt a goal, but after consultation with the field umpire a review was called for.

MATCH: DEMONS NEARLY PINCH SUNS SCRAP

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Replays clearly showed the ball deviating off Thompson’s fist inside the field of play, but onlookers were left gobsmacked when the voice from the review booth deemed the vision inconclusive and a goal was awarded.

News_Image_File: Rory Thompson appears to get a clear fist on the ball before it crosses the line. Picture:Wayne Ludbey

Suns players, having set up for a kick-in while the vision was being reviewed, were visibly stunned by the decision.

Up in the Channel 7 booth, Nick Riewoldt said: “They (Suns defenders) are both a long way inside the field of play there. You’d imagine this will be overruled.

“Camera on the goal-line would be handy, wouldn’t it?”

News_Rich_Media: The Gold Coast Suns have bounced back from a 99-point drubbing last week, defeating the Demons by just eight points at the MCG.

The blunder went very close to costing the Suns, who hung on to win by eight points. But Gold

Coast coach Guy McKenna chose his words carefully after the match, saying he didn’t see the replays.

“I’ll tell you the truth, I thought they got a hand on it, but how can you see from 150m away?” McKenna said.

“And the next thing I was concentrating on was the kick-out structure, I’ll be honest, and then there were some moans and groans from the box.

“It (replay) was certainly being played, the other coaches watched it and they had their opinions, which I won’t air.”

Forget everything you've seen before. The worst goal review decision of all-time has just occurred here at #afldeessuns — Sam Edmund (@SammyHeraldSun) April 20, 2014

As usual, shocking angles at goal. The man on the moon would have more idea. Thompson spoiled, landed in the middle of the square. — Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) April 20, 2014

Asked if the AFL should invest in goal-line cameras, McKenna said: “Yeah, if that is going to make it better, clearly.

“To be honest, we’re all human. I think we had enough players making mistakes.”

Melbourne coach Paul Roos said he didn’t see the incident or the replay, but said until cameras were installed on the goal-line errors were possible.

Industry experts predict the installation of four cameras in goalposts at 10 AFL venues would be a one-off cost of less than $500,000 — less than the AFL spent on Meat Loaf as Grand Final entertainment.

You need to punch it 8 rows back for them to overturn a decision, even then will prob stay inconclusive #afldeessuns #goalreview #howler — Hamish mcintosh (@HMcintosh01) April 20, 2014

If Rory Thompson's fist was a cricket bat, the edge would have gone to second slip. Apologies, just can't get over that. #afldeessuns — Sam Edmund (@SammyHeraldSun) April 20, 2014

AFL football operations boss Mark Evans last month told the Herald Sun the league would trial cameras in goalposts at some venues this year, but not all.

“(Cameras) are not cheap and it’s certainly not an easy exercise when you look at the complications from venue to venue,’’ Evans said.

“I am waiting on a full briefing but we are keen to trial them in at least a couple of venues and we can go from there (in 2015).”