The AFL has given the all-clear on Josh Jenkins’ controversial match-winning goal in Showdown 45.

After the Jenkins shot at goal late in the fourth quarter, the goal umpire called for a score review and gave his preliminary decision as a goal.

The score review official determined there was no clear evidence beyond reasonable doubt that the preliminary call of goal was incorrect, and hence a goal was confirmed, giving the Crows a two-point lead with less than three minutes to play.

In a media release distributed on Saturday evening, the AFL said:

“After accessing all relevant vision this evening, it supported the decision of the reviewer to confirm the goal umpire’s decision of a goal, with no clear evidence beyond reasonable doubt to make an over-rule.” 


The umpire calls for a score review in the last quarter of Saturday's Showdown

Jenkins said in a post-game interview he ‘thought’ the ball had hit the post.

Meantime, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley expressed frustration in his post-match press conference.

"But to deal with that last moment, where the player acknowledges it's hit the post and the AFL, in a billion-dollar industry, can wreck seasons for football clubs that work too hard,” Hinkley said.

“If I was the AFL, I'd be embarrassed and disappointed in an industry that's so important to so many people.

"I will say again, Adelaide Crows were the better team on the night and deserved to win."