AFL 2023: Jake Lever marking contest with Eric Hipwood, video, ending of Melbourne Demons’ win over Brisbane Lions, highlights, umpiring decision, reaction, response, latest news

Fox Footy pundits say the right call was made in awarding Demlon Jake Lever the mark in the dying seconds of Melbourne’s pulsating come from-behind-one-point win over Brisbane on Friday night.

In a crucial play that got the footy world talking, the Lions had one last chance to snatch back the lead – or at least tie the game – of the MCG thriller after Jarryd Lyons booted a long ball just inside 50 to a tangled up Lever and Eric Hipwood.

The ball appeared to land right in between the chests of the two players, although Lever seemingly had more of his body behind the ball to get awarded the mark – and Channel 7 caller James Brayshaw even instantly declared “mark for Lever” – as the final siren sounded.

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Demons players and fans immediately erupted in celebration, and while some Lions players contested the decision with the umpire, it was clear that there was no second-guessing the call.

Upon watching a replay of the incident post-match, Fox Footy experts endorsed the verdict despite some initial uncertainty from triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown.

“There was only one thing to stop the momentum of the ball and that was Jake Lever’s chest. Isn’t it clear?,” former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley posed.

Hawthorn legend Jordan Lewis agreed, saying “Oh yeah, you’re right, (the ball landed) on Jake Lever’s body, I’m on ‘Bucks’’ side,” while ex-Demons skipper Garry Lyon added: “Me too.”

Then, after watching a slow motion replay, Brown ultimately admitted the umpires got it right.

“It’s the old fashioned jump ball, absolutely,” he said.

Speaking after the win, Lever also thought he had full claim of the mark.

“I was actually trying to punch it with my other hand and somehow it landed in my lap,” the star defender told Channel 7.

“I was pretty stoked. I reckon that’s my one, what do you reckon BT (Brian Taylor)?,” who responded: “Absolutely it is.”