Panthers v Raiders: Is it time to allow video ref to adjudicate of forward passes?

TAKE Canberra out of this and focus on the issue.Is it time for the NRL to allow the video referee to rule on blatant forwards passes that lead to tries?

The Panthers congratulate James Maloney after he scored against the Raiders on Sunday night.

TAKE Canberra out of this and focus on the issue.

Is it time for the NRL to allow the video referee to rule on blatant forwards passes that lead to tries?

Or do the video officials already stuff up enough calls to throw another problem their way?

But what if a forward pass as obvious as the one from James Maloney to Josh Mansour late in Penrith’s 40-31 victory over the Raiders ended up costing your team its season?

Will you still be happy that the video referee is not allowed to come into play when it is painfully obvious on the replays?

MATCH: Panthers fight back to beat Raiders

Because judging on what we have seen so far this year, this issue is not going away.

It is only getting worse.

The Panthers congratulate James Maloney after he scored against the Raiders on Sunday night.

Week after week it seems some side is on the wrong side of a call like this.

So why not use the technology like they do in rugby union?

You might also want to ask why the touch judge on Sunday was again right on the spot but let it go.

Ricky Stuart wasn’t blowing up about it after the game.

“I don’t want to get drawn into that side of it again,” Stuart said.

Instead Stuart looked to the fact his team had squandered so many big leads this season as proof his team has its own problems to deal with.

Referee Matt Cecchin was refereeing his 300th match.

And given the controversy that surrounded referee Matt Cecchin leading into his 300th NRL game, after announcing this week he was quitting because of constant abuse and criticism, Stuart’s reaction was understandable.

Asked for his thoughts on whether the video ref should be allowed to rule on forward passes leading to tries on Sunday, Anthony Griffin was certain it’s the last thing the game needs right now.

“I think there is enough involvement at the moment from the referees and the bunker,” Griffin said.

“I don’t think we should be stopping for forward passes.”

Maloney didn’t think the pass was forward anyway.

“I thought it was sweet,” he dead panned.

Yeah, right.

But not using the video ref seems to be the overriding feeling within the game.

On Sunday it was the Raiders who copped the raw deal and it will get lost in the wash-up because their season was already over after the debacle at Cronulla a few weeks back.

Dejected Raiders players Joey Leilua (left) and Jordan Rapana after the loss.

But imagine if it was a finals match on the line on Sunday, or heaven forbid a grand final?

And you’re sitting back watching your team cop it but no one wants to know about it, or even talk about it.

Yes, as Stuart said, the Raiders were their own worst enemy after squandering a 26-12

halftime lead.

But that doesn’t deny the fact that Maloney’s forward pass proved crucial in the end.

And everyone saw it.

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Originally published as Panthers v Raiders: Is it time to allow video ref to adjudicate of forward passes?