NRL 2024: Video evidence exonerates bunker in controversial Roosters-Panthers obstruction call

A near identical passage of play from round 1 involving Dylan Edwards proves the Panthers fullback - comparing speeds and metres gained - could have stopped the controversial no-try. WATCH HERE

This is the proof that Dylan Edwards could have been in a position to stop the controversial no-try last Thursday night had he not been impeded by Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

You only have to look as far back as round one for evidence that Edwards could have raced across the field in time.

Much debate has surrounded the call by the bunker to rule against a Joey Manu try after Edwards was impeded.

The bunker ruled no try however the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley believed there was too much doubt around Edwards’ ability to reach Manu.

However, information obtained by this masthead clearly shows Edwards could have made a genuine attempt at stopping Manu had it not been for Waerea-Hargreaves’ interference.

Because back in round one, where in a worse situation, Edwards made up enough ground to make a try-saving tackle on Melbourne’s Nick Meaney during Penrith’s 8-0 loss.

In fact by the time Edwards was obstructed against the Roosters, it took them 2.5 seconds to cross the try line. Against the Storm, where Edwards had to run further, he was able to hold up Meaney and push him over the sideline in just 2.3 seconds.

Dylan Edwards’ starting positions from the two plays. Picture: NRL.com

Edwards believes he would have stopped the try last Thursday during their 22-16 win against the Roosters.

“I hope I would have made it, I’m not doing my job if I didn’t make it,” Edwards said. “But you never know because of what happened, but personally I would like to think so.

“(The obstruction rule is) a tough one, because it gets interpreted so many different ways, so I would say at the moment I’m not sure what’s an obstruction or what’s not an obstruction, depending on the situation, but it’s hard to have black and white rules.

“In saying that, you’ve got to cop it sweet. Whatever decision is made you’ve got to cop it sweet.”

Furthermore, Edwards had reached speeds of 30km/h as he scooted to stop Meaney while during the Roosters game he was clocked at 22km/h before he was taken out of play.

Fox Sports’ The Back Page indicated Edwards would have made the ground up running at just 22km/h. His natural acceleration to get across the field would have further aided his efforts in trying to stop the play.

The Roosters and Storm produced similar plays which led to the try-scoring opportunities. However, Storm lead-running decoy Trent Loiero avoided making contact with Edwards, unlike Waerea-Hargreaves, which allowed the Panthers no.1 an unchecked passage.

Annesley has backed the bunker to use their instincts when making calls.

“This is the typical incident where the Bunker official will have to use judgement and form an opinion as to whether that particular player who was involved in the collision, in this case Dylan Edwards, would have been able to get to the ball carrier in an attempt to be able to prevent the try from being scored,” Annesley said.

“The bunker formed an opinion that he did have the possibility and he is obviously a very quick player.

“Now do I agree with that? No I don’t. I think there is too much of an element of doubt in my view because of the distance involved and the fact of where the try was scored.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Video evidence exonerates bunker in controversial Roosters-Panthers obstruction call