RARELY would you see a cricketer refer the umpires upstairs to give themselves out, but perhaps footballers are a different story.

It's certainly what Hamish Hartlett did in Sunday's Round 6 game against West Coast when he saw his shot on goal had hit the post.

While the goal umpire moved into position to signal a goal, Hartlett was seen signalling towards the post to indicate leather and wood had come together.

Of course, every score - both goals and behinds - is reviewed by the Score Review Official before the commencement of play, however Hartlett told portadelaidefc.com.au he figured he'd save the hassle of taking the ball back to the middle if a goal was scored.

"I did something similar last year against Freo late in the season as well," Hartlett said.

"I knew clearly that it had hit the post, so I thought I'd save everyone the pain of them having to go through the review and everything.

"I don't even know if the umpires saw that I knew it had hit the post, but you save yourself from looking like a bit of an idiot as well, when they do go to the review."

While there's little chance of a player pinching a goal through an incorrect umpiring decision, Hartlett says he'd at least refer every time he knew an incorrect call had been made on one of his shots.

"It's all up to the individual, I suppose, I've been brought up to be honest, so I'm not going to try and cheat in any way," Hartlett said.

"If I think a call like that has been made like that, I'd try to correct it."