'Not good enough': NRL world erupts over 'unacceptable' farce
Fans and Dragons coach Paul McGregor have let rip at the NRL after a horror decision in the clash between St George and the Sharks on Saturday.
NRL bunker officials Steve Clark and Ben Galea were dumped from Sunday's clash between Penrith and Gold Coast following the botched call.
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Clark incorrectly gave Cronulla forward Jack Williams a try in their four-point win over St George Illawarra despite replays showing Matt Dufty beat him to the ball.
The duo took just two looks at the vision before awarding Williams the try.
Fans went ballistic over the clear bunker error with many calling for the bunker to be scrapped.
That’s a bad loss, ultimately with the points difference being from a bunker stuff up. But, dragons need more grunt. I’m very disappointed with Frizell. Really offering very little. Playing at 70%. We needed mongrel. Needed starch. And we had very little. Sharks mauled us.
— Red V news (@RedV_mail) July 25, 2020
How can you get that wrong! Do we need a freaking 4th ref for @NRL #Dufty clearly grounded the ball! @NRL_Dragons Not acceptable #NRLSharksDragons
— Kris Fade (@krisfade) July 25, 2020
the @NRL Bunker needs to go!
— Bond the Dog (@Andycee007) July 25, 2020
I LOVE that those in the @NRL still think that apologising and dropping officials for OBVIOUS BLUNDERS, makes clubs and/or fans feel better!!
Absolutely no reason why the BUNKER should get calls like this wrong!! But what justice does the "wronged" club get? NONE!!— EqualChanz (@ChanzEqual) July 25, 2020
But unfortunately for the Dragons & rugby league, the bunker got it wrong big time. If the Fox coverage replay of the bunker decision making is correct they hardly bothered to review it. What’s the point if the bunker operates like this?
— Rod Edmonds (@sinoaus) July 25, 2020
@NRL @NRLBunker What can you say. NRL confirmed they got it WRONG: 2 officials dropped. The question must be asked why did they act so fast. They usually look 100 times but this time, with doubt, they just rushed it. I like the Bunker BUT this is what it was introduced 2 stop.
— Saint Mike (@SaintsSJ) July 25, 2020
Some fans also pointed out the error occurred in the 10th minute which allowed the Dragons plenty of time to overcome the error.
The misjudgement from the officials was deemed enough for NRL head of football Graham Annesley to pull the duo from the Titans' game against the Panthers.
"The bunker decision to award a try to Jack Williams in tonight's Sharks-Dragons game was incorrect," Annesley said.
"Steve Clark and Ben Galea were due to officiate again tomorrow in the Titans-Panthers game as bunker officials.
"They have now been relegated, and will be replaced by Jared Maxwell and Bryan Norrie."
Dragons coach fumes at bunker decision
The swift axing will be of no consolation to Dragons coach Paul McGregor, who was highly critical of the bunker's call post-game.
Having found themselves down 14 points midway through the second half, McGregor's side also blew two late opportunities to steal the victory.
"Pretty clear, right? So how do they keep getting it wrong and who's accountable for it? It's a stuff up but, in the end, there's the difference," McGregor said.
"The person who's watching this should, and all you guys should make enough song and dance to do something about it, eh, because it's not good enough."
Dufty said he was adamant he had beaten Williams to the ball.
"The boys asked me when it went to video ref, 'Did you get it down?' I said, '100 per cent I got it down'," he said.
"Coach told me after the game that yeah I grounded it first.
"I said I thought I did. And even after they awarded the try, I was pretty shocked, I asked for a challenge, but he said it was a video ref so it wouldn't work."
With AAP
