The Storm have been awarded a try under “controversial” circumstances to open the scoring in their blockbuster against the Panthers.
Storm winger Grant Anderson crossed within the first five minutes, finding plenty of space down the left edge after a lovely ball from Ryan Papenhuyzen.
On closer inspection though, Storm centre Jack Howarth ran a line into the outside shoulder of Panthers half Nathan Cleary, which knocked both players to the ground.
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NRL great Cooper Cronk believed that contact on Cleary should have been enough for the Bunker to make the call and overturn the try as it helped create the space for Anderson.
“By the rule that is contact to the outside shoulder of Nathan Cleary who is trying to help Tago with the defensive decision. Great play by Melbourne to fire the first shot but I think this is going to be called back,” Cronk said.
The try wouldn’t be overturned though, with Bunker official Gerard Sutton instead giving the green light.
Fox League’s Andrew Voss then asked Cronk for his thoughts.
“This is such a grey area. We’ve been confused a number of times now. There have been some awarded, some not,” the former halfback said, referencing the troubling inconsistency by the Bunker this season.
“Nathan Cleary is on the out and Howarth stops on the line.
“Yes, (Izack) Tago makes a bad decision coming in which gives Papenhuyzen the space but if Cleary can get out, it helps Tago defend.
“The line of Howarth is what makes the play because Papenhuyzen gets the space out the back, and Tago makes a bad decision but Cleary is turned out to help Tago defend and has been impeded by Howarth.”
Voss summed it up when he said: “A bit of controversy early.”
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