sport news Fremantle lose by a point against North Melbourne after being denied a ... trends now

A hugely controversial call marred the end of North Melbourne's one-point victory over Fremantle on Saturday, after the Dockers were seemingly denied a free-kick as time ran out.

The Kangaroos improved to 2-0 in after winning 73-72 at Optus Stadium, but the Dockers were on the receiving end of a decision that brought memories of the Sirengate fiasco of 2006.

Fremantle trailed by a point after kicking three goals in the last five minutes of the game, when Daniel Howe desperately kicked the ball straight out of bounds.

A free-kick to the Dockers for insufficient intent appeared inevitable, but the umpires ruled the siren had sounded before the ball went out of the bounds meaning a free-kick could not be awarded.

'The siren went before it went out of bounds,' field umpire Rob Findlay told Fremantle players, who remonstrated with the officials.

'That‘s the call we’ve made.'

The Kangaroos' celebrations were initially put on hold as Findlay discussed the decision with his fellow umpires, before upholding the original call. 

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was magnanimous despite the circumstances and said he trusted the umpires to have made the right decision.

'I trust the umpire got it right. My gut feel is we would have stolen it if we had got a shot on goal and we had have drawn or won it,' he said.

'I admire the boys' fight at the end and never-give-up attitude, but we've got a bit of work to do. On that last incident, I trust the umpire got it right.'

Kangaroos boss Alastair Clarkson said he was not surprised by the decision taken by the umpires.

'My understanding is that the siren went when the ball was still in play,' he said. 'I think that’s just my naked

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