The NRL insisted there was no obstruction prior to Penrith’s match-winning score against Parramatta, but the Eels are sure it was the wrong call, claiming there was an even larger blunder just minutes earlier.
After losing 36-34 to the three-time premiers, the Eels were surprised when an offside call was overlooked leading up to Sunia Turuva’s 75th-minute try.
Replays display. Nathan Cleary prepares to punt the ball with Casey McLean in front of him. McLean then leaps for the ball. Penrith moved the ball left and scored through Turuva. The touch judge agreed with the Cleary kick.
Trent Barrett, the interim coach, was astonished when the bunker reviewed the play and still gave the try.
“Casey was at least one and a half metres offside,” Barrett told the masthead on Monday. “According to all reports, they checked it, but to still claim he was onside is beyond me.”
“It’s difficult to sit in review on Monday knowing there are things we can control and things we can’t, and that decision was simply incorrect.
“It’s already painful knowing we won’t make the semi-finals and that several of our players will not be with the club next year.
“I had to pick up the boys today.” They are shattered. I’m proud of how they keep showing up for each other, and they’ll do so again on Friday.”
The NRL assessed the tape and determined McLean was onside. They also had no problems with Izack Tago’s game-winner, despite Liam Martin impeding Daejarn Asi in the buildup.
Graham Annesley, the NRL’s head of football, stated that there was no obstruction since Blaize Talagi attempted to tackle Martin, only to clip heels before Martin stumbled into Asi.
“I’m the first to admit that there will be opposing viewpoints on this, but is this an obviously bad move by the bunker? No, it is not. “It was not an obstruction that required intervention,” Annesley explained.
Barrett disagreed with the ruling. “I can’t accept that explanation,” responded the gentleman. “Would they have tried it if it was within 20 metres? They would not have. Regardless of how Liam Martin hits Daejarn, he has knocked him over; DJ was left on the ground as a result of the contact, and he is out of the game.”
Another tough day for the Eels came with the announcement that Talagi will join Penrith next year on a three-year contract.
They will also be without Ryan Matterson on Friday after breaking three ribs early in the game against the Panthers, and Reagan Campbell-Gillard is reportedly free to find a new home next year.Fox Sports confirmed that North Queensland has expressed interest.
