The Panthers were given a reprieve on half time of their 24-22 loss to the Storm following a dramatic passage of play from Melbourne which resulted in a Penrith penalty.
Leading 16-10 with just over 30 seconds left in the first half, the Panthers kicked it dead, meaning the Storm had a tap from the 20 metre line.
Winger Grant Anderson looked as if he was going to run to the line, quick tap and play on, but he instead passed it back to Ryan Papenhuyzen who attempted a rare 20/40.
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The ball looked as if it crossed the line slightly before the 40 metre line and not inside the 40, however it was ruled a 20/40 and a Storm scrum with 20 seconds to go and now just 40 metres out from the Penrith line.
However, the Panthers challenged the call.
Before the Bunker looked at the play, Fox League’s Andrew Voss pointed out several rule breaches by the Storm.
“This is extraordinary stuff,” Voss said.
“That has not gone inside the 40.
“It would have to be a 20/40 for Melbourne to get the feed.
“He hasn’t even kicked it on the mark!”
While it was a matter of pick your poison, the Panthers would win the challenge when the Bunker pointed out that Storm centre Jack Howarth was found to be in front of Papenhuyzen when the kick was made, resulting in a Penrith penalty right in front.
Nathan Cleary knocked it over, to trim the margin to four and a 16-12 scoreline at the break.
Papenhuyzen’s play was a smart one in theory, however execution lacked and the fact his teammates weren’t on the same page proved costly.
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Thankfully for Melbourne’s sake, the play didn’t cost the Storm.
It was no surprise to see Storm coach Craig Bellamy express his frustration after his side gifted the defending champs an easy two points when it should have been a six-point lead at half time.
Bellamy was seen with his head in his hands and shouting towards the field.
“I think Craig Bellamy may have just taken a walk out of the back of the box because the Storm just had an opportunity with 20 seconds to go,” former Storm star Cronk said.
“There he is shaking his head, because this is exactly what Penrith needed.”
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