A local Collingwood nuffy has gone uncharacteristically quiet on umpiring matters after the AFL conceded yesterday that Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson should’ve received a free kick for high contact late in Sunday’s game. With less than a minute to play, and with the Magpies leading by just two points, Dawson almost had his head removed from his shoulders about 35 metres out from Adelaide’s goal. The non-decision allowed Collingwood to gain possession and clear their defence, sealing yet another close win on their inevitable march towards the 2023 premiership.

In the wake of Sunday’s game, close friends of Watsonia North man Kyle Stevens say he’s been a bit quiet on the group chat, despite spending the best part of the last 18 months bemoaning the lack of protection for Jack Ginnivan’s head. Stevens also wrote multiple letters to AFL House earlier this season to protest the lack of free kick given to Nathan Murphy after a marking contest against the Crows in Round 7. However, friends say Stevens is yet to bite on any of the bait thrown out on WhatsApp so far this week.

One anonymous friend said, “I was actually watching the game with Stevo on the weekend. And when the cameras showed Dawson pointing to his blood lip and asking the umps why he didn’t get a free kick, Stevo started yelling at the TV and telling Dawson to stop whingeing. But he’s given us absolutely nothing on WhatsApp this week. It’s very strange. So out of character.”