The AFL has defended the decision to award Sydney a behind at the end of the first quarter in the Swans' one-point victory against Essendon on Friday night at the SCG.

Sydney forward Lance Franklin kicked before the quarter-time siren and Bombers veteran James Kelly grabbed the ball in mid-air and landed behind the goal-line. 

The AFL released a statement on Saturday morning justifying the call. 

"It was the umpire's view that Kelly took control of the ball in mid-air but landed with both feet behind the goal line and a rushed behind was then correctly awarded to the Swans," the statement read.

"Under Law 12.5.1 (b), a goal or behind can be scored if the ball is kicked before the siren while under Law 12.5.2, a behind can be scored for a kick after the siren if the ball is touched in transit and is not assisted by a player from the same team." 

AFL football operations manager Simon Lethlean further clarified the situation on Melbourne radio station SEN. 

"Kelly tried to intercept the ball from going through but did so in one motion. He jumped in the air, basically at the line, and carried the ball across landing with both feet behind the line," Lethlean said. 

"That's quite rightly adjudicated a point when the defensive player takes the ball across in one motion."

Kelly told 3AW on Saturday he was aware of where he was situated on the ground when he took possession.

"I knew that I was taking the ball pretty much on the line, so I didn't have really any other option other than to take it over (the goal line)," Kelly said.