Brisbane Lions star Hugh McCluggage insists there was no way teammate Zac Bailey could have heard the whistle for a crucial free kick paid late in the AFL grand final.
With 80 seconds left and the Lions down by just four points, dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale was legged by Collingwood defender Oleg Markov.
The umpire called a free kick but dynamic forward Bailey grabbed the loose ball and threw it on his boot inside the Lions' forward 50, apparently unable to hear the whistle amid a capacity crowd of 100,024 at the MCG.
Advantage was called by the umpire as Collingwood defended for their lives to hang on for a record-equalling 16th VFL/AFL premiership.
McCluggage said he was yet to watch back the controversial passage of play.
"You could not hear a thing out there," the Lions vice-captain said at the club's family day in Fitzroy on Sunday.
"(Bailey) wouldn't have had any idea that the free kick was paid and there's so many decisions throughout a game that can can influence what happens and that's just one of them."
Commentators on the Seven Network's broadcast of the game highlighted the incident during the coverage.
"Did Brisbane know that was a free kick? That wasn't a good advantage, that one," former Richmond great Matthew Richardson said.
"That is ridiculous, they didn't even know it was their free kick."
Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge, who finished his illustrious career with the Lions, also called it a "poor advantage".
Lions coach Chris Fagan refused to buy into the debate post-game.
"I didn't know the whistle had been blown by the umpire," he said.
"You guys have got a better feel for that than I have. I'll have to watch the replay."
