Reaction has been strong around Cronulla’s controversial first half penalty try in their semi-final win over the Cowboys, with one rugby league legend labelling it a “stitch up”.
The Sharks were sensationally awarded a 13th-minute penalty try to open up scoring when five-eighth Braydon Trindall grubbered from 10 metres out and attempted to chase but was held back by North Queensland’s Reuben Cotter.
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“Big trouble coming for the Cowboys,” Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said.
“It’s a sin bin or it’ a penalty try. There was no one in front of him.
Referee Ashley Klein sent it straight to the bunker as a penalty try, saying: “I believe he was going to get to the ball.”
Former Maroons coach Paul Vautin was incredulous with the decision, while Cameron Smith believed the Sharks got lucky.
“That is wrong – you can’t say Trindall would get there. I’ve got some questions over that one,” Smith said on Channel 9.
Vautin added: “That is a stitch up.”
The Daily Telegraph reported that the decision led to a former NRL coach to message the masthead unprompted to say he was “changing channels to the AFL”.
“Maybe he might have got there,” the ex-coach said.
On the Fox League coverage, Cooper Cronk said Cotter left officials with no choice.
“Once the ball went to the backfield it was only him who was going to get there,” he said.
“The tackle of Cotter is definitely a professional foul a sin bin or penalty try.”
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Video referee Wyatt Raymond agreed.
“Rueben Cotter tackles Braydon Trindall without the ball in the opinion of the referee and video referee Brayden Trindall would have got to the ball first and scored a try,” he said.
“We are supporting the on-field decision of penalty try.”
The Sharks being awarded a penalty try meant that a sin-bin was no longer an option.
Cronk pointed out that the rule could be flawed given Cronulla might’ve benefitted more from the sin bin instead of the penalty try.
“The thing about Reuben Cotter is if you’re the Sharks do you want the try or do you want Reuben Cotter in the sin bin for 10 minutes,” he said.
“The tackling machine that is Reuben Cotter the game’s about to open up after 15 minutes and if I’m the Sharks I’m probably leaning towards 10 minutes.
“Particularly if it’s a middle forward when you can actually attack and cause more damage in that 10 minute period.”
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