NRL fans fume over ‘farcical’ grand final call

NRL fans are fuming over a “farcical” incident in the NRL grand final that disadvantaged the Raiders.

Sia Soliola charges down a kick by Luke Keary.

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NRL fans are fuming over a “farcical” incident in the NRL grand final that disadvantaged the Raiders.

In a major momentum-setter just three minutes into the match, Canberra’s Sia Soliola charged down a Luke Keary kick to set up a potential try scoring situation for teammate Elliott Whitehead.

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The ball rebounded from Soliola into the back field with barely a Rooster in sight, presenting the Raiders with a huge chance of scoring.

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Sia Soliola charges down a kick by Luke Keary.

However, the ball then ricocheted off a Roosters’ trainer, forcing referees to call a mandatory stop to play under NRL rules.

The Roosters were awarded a scrum feed as they were deemed the attacking team.

Trent Robinson’s side scored through hooker Sam Verrills in the ensuing set, a huge turnaround considering the Raiders were set to score themselves just moments before.

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Why the trainer was on the field after three minutes will be a massive point of contention.

“That could’ve been a try under the posts,” said Phil Gould.

Andrew Johns added: “It hits the trainer right in the head. And have a look at Whitehead he is away there. Whitehead could have scored there.”

🙈🙈#NRLGF pic.twitter.com/hA7V8MPc5o

— NRL (@NRL) October 6, 2019

What just happened! 🤯 #NRLGF | @Channel9#9WWOS #NRL pic.twitter.com/gWdkP63xd4

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) October 6, 2019

Hey @Todd_Greenberg that trainer should not have been on the field. It’s clear in your own ops manual. Why was he? Because your operations manager Nathan McGuirk doesn’t enforce the rules. Time to get a new guy I reckon.

— Tim Gore (@GorskiOPork) October 6, 2019

So they’re robbed of a try. Then robbed of territory. Then robbed of possession. And Roosters get a new set of six.

That my friends is a shit rule.

— Ben Way (@BenWayAUS) October 6, 2019

Get. The. Trainers. Off. The. Field. It’s a blight on the game

— Neil Breen (@breenie9) October 6, 2019

Love how people think saying “that’s the rule” makes it ok. That was a joke. #nrlgf

— Jon Tuxworth (@Tuxy81) October 6, 2019

The ball ricocheting off the trainer, disadvantaging Canberra, will forever change the ruling of allowing trainers on to the field in general play. #NRLGrandFinal

— Martin Lang (@Martin_Lang11) October 6, 2019

Pathetic! https://t.co/vyGZ5QFtc8

— Ned Zelic (@NedZelic) October 6, 2019

Originally published as NRL fans fume over ‘farcical’ grand final call