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Bellamy's epic blow up at bunker blunder

Craig Bellamy blew his top in the coach's box after a controversial 'no-try' decision almost cost his Melbourne Storm side victory.

For the most part this season, the NRL's much-maligned bunker has managed to avoid the headlines as better, speedier decisions are consistently being made.

But a clanger deep in the second half against the Brisbane Broncos robbed the Storm of a try that would leveled the scores at 12-all.

The on-field referees went upstairs to check the grounding on a potential Will Chambers try, after returning Melbourne fullback Billy Slater put his centre through a hole in the Broncos' defence.

The original decision was a 'no-try' and the first two angles appeared to show Chambers lose control of the football as he reached out for the line.

The bunker's decision flashed up on the big screen and the boos echoed around AAMI Park as the Storm fans let their frustrations known.

But that was merely a prelude to Bellamy's reaction when replays presented a third angle that seemed to show quite clearly that Chambers never totally lost control of the football.

Bellamy was less than impressed by the decision. Pic: Fox Sports
Bellamy was less than impressed by the decision. Pic: Fox Sports

Yes he came up short of the tryline, but momentum carried him across the strip and there was never separation between the ball and his forearm.

All three commentators agreed upon reflection that the try should have been given and Bellamy looked like he was going to have an apoplexy when the camera flashed on him in the coach's box.

However, referees boss Tony Archer reviewed the incident after the match and said the bunker made the right call.

A third angle appeared to show a legitimate try. Pic: Fox Sports
A third angle appeared to show a legitimate try. Pic: Fox Sports

"I have had the opportunity to fully review the decision," Archer said on Friday.

"The decision to rule that Will Chambers loses possession of the ball short of the line is the correct one.

"Further review of the live decision of no try by the Bunker confirmed that Chambers' hand had come away from the ball, whilst the ball is on the ground, prior to the ball touching the tryline."

Fortunately for the Storm it didn't matter as a Josh Addo-Carr try in the dying minutes and a sideline conversion from skipper Cameron Smith saw the hosts escape with a 14-12 win.