Fans lashed out at NRL officials during Sunday’s Grand Final, claiming Melbourne were “robbed” after referees deemed Jack Howarth had a second-half try deducted after crossing the line.
In some live replays, fans claimed the ball appeared to have been hit by the Melbourne center during their 14-6 loss against Penrith.
However, the NRL has quickly moved to prove the video referees were right to score the try and instead rule the ball was over the line.
Several commentators and journalists from around the NRL world were shown separate footage that fans watching on Channel Nine were initially unable to see.
Speaking on Channel Nine, Danika Mason said: “I’ve just gone in and some of the media have been shown another angle of the attempt which obviously the bunker would have been aware of.
“They actually said it looks like the bunker got it right in that case.”
The new footage, which has since been posted on X (formerly Twitter) appears to show an arm under the ball as Howarth makes his way over the try line.
Johnathan Thurston, speaking on Channel Nine, added: “Well, Freddy said they had 23 out of 24 camera angles, so there is a video on social media showing the ball on the ground, but as Freddy mentioned, they have all the angles.” over there”.
“If they say it’s not down, then you have to accept it.”
Fans were divided online, watching Channel Nine’s coverage, over whether the ball had been landed fairly, with some claiming it was an attempt.
Another added: “Hahaha, the bunker didn’t see the ball hit the ground?”
“@NRL ensures the NSW bias is stronger than ever,” one said.
“Storm totally killed it,” one wrote.
Another said: ‘NRL grand final.’ Bull bunker.
Fans have lashed out at officials after Jack Howarth was denied a try during the NRL Grand Final.
But journalist Scott Bailey said the media had been shown conclusive footage that this was not an attempt and said broadcasters should show the same footage seen by bunker screening officers.
“If there was ever an argument for broadcasters to show what the bunker sees, that was it,” Bailey wrote in hard sell for everyone who just turned off the TV.
NewsWire’s Martin Gabor said: ‘Fair play to the NRL. They’ve shown us a high-resolution replay and it doesn’t make sense when the ball hits the ground. Jack Howarth did NOT score. At the time I thought it was definitely a try.”
But the NRL has since provided footage showing the ball was held on the line.
Melbourne had taken the lead in the first half, and Harry Grant took the lead within the first 20 minutes. Sunia Turuva would then crash into the corner before Liam Martin grabbed Penrith’s third before the break.
After Howarth’s try was denied, Penrith put more pressure on the Storm defenders, with Paul Alamoti pounced to seal a 14-6 victory and Penrith’s fourth consecutive premiership.
