A “controversial” Bunker decision has left Fox League’s commentators scratching their heads and Bellamy’s Storm reeling after conceding a match-defining Hudson Young try.
As the score sat 20-16 with 15 minutes remaining, Raiders centre Sebastian Kris contested a high ball with Storm gun Cameron Munster, who was initially ruled to have dropped the ball.
In the first half, Melbourne hooker Harry Grant jumped high, making contact with young gun Xavier Savage in an almost identical incident which saw referee Grant Atkins blow his whistle.
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“This is a tough call on Harry grant, how is that a penalty, he has every right to go for it, really tough call from Grant Atkins,” Fox League’s Michael Ennis said in the first half.
In the second half, Munster challenged the referee’s on-field decision of knock-on which left Ennis questioning how the Bunker could rule the moment any different to Grant’s first half penalty.
“We saw one in the first half… and what is the difference with what Harry Grant did in the first half,” Ennis said.
“This is an enormous call,” Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said.
“He had all intention to contest the kick, right up until the last second,” Flanagan said.
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“It was a penalty in the first half,” Ennis said.
The Bunker ruled the Raiders centre only had eyes for the ball, and Munster dropped the ball backwards with Harry Grant grounding it in the Storm’s in-goal.
Fox League’s Shane Flanagan agreed with the decision — but Munster could be seen shaking his head walking away from Atkins bemused.
“They keep their challenge, no knock on but they were going for interference,” Ginnane said.
“I think that is the right call in the end, I think the one in the first half was the wrong call,” Flanagan said.
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“That is a contest, we have got to keep that in our game.”
Only moments later, Hudson Young was able to reel in a Jack Wighton grubber after a “controversial call” which sealed Melbourne’s fate.
“A controversial call only moments ago, on the back of that it is Jack Wighton who stands up,”
“Cameron Munster takes a chance.”
Ricky Stuart’s men were then able to kick away, with a ridiculous Jordan Rapana try handing the Raiders an eight-point lead and a 28-20 win in the first elimination final.
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