Manly boss Tony Mestrov blasts referees over forward pass debacle and calls for new technology

Jobs are on the line and game-deciding mistakes can’t keep happening. That is the message out of a fuming Manly after a brutal referee blunder.

Manly Sea Eagle Coach Anthony Seibold and CEO Tony Mestrov. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov has called for electronic technology used in tennis to be considered for rugby league to avoid legitimate passes being ruled forward after his Sea Eagles were dudded against South Sydney.

Mestrov’s call comes after the NRL conceded a blunder by denying Manly a near certain try last Friday night by ruling a legitimate pass was forward.

With the scores locked at 6-all, Manly centre Brad Parker passed to teammate Josh Schuster, who offloaded to star fullback Tom Trbojevic, who was almost certain to score, only for the Parker pass - which travelled backwards - to be called back by referee Chris Sutton.

With Souths winning 13-12 in golden point, the ruling was a hammer blow for Manly fans. And it could be a mistake which returns to haunt the Sea Eagles later this season.

“Firstly, it disappoints fans but the careers of players and coaches are on the line and it’s just not fair. What I’d like to see is some form of technology so we can eradicate this,” Mestrov said.

Josh Schuster was furious, after Manly were denied a 'beautiful try' over a controversial forward pass call. Picture: Fox League.

“I’m not putting more video pressure on the game but it’s time to look at some technology options. There is technology available to get these decisions right.

“We’ve seen technology used in tennis around ‘on-the-line’ rules. They can get electronic area surveillance to make judgment. It is done in tennis so why can’t it be done in rugby league? It’s worth looking at a number of areas.

“The forward pass has always been ambiguous. We have sorted out tries, we’ve sorted grounding so why shouldn’t we look at (forward passes) because it’s a crucial part of the game?

“That (Parker) pass was at a crucial point in the game. We score then and it changes the whole complexion of the game. If something isn’t correct in the game then let’s look at options to fix it.”

Sutton’s position in first grade for round five is now under review with the refereeing appointments to be announced on Tuesday.

“We have looked at the pass again this morning and, in my view, the pass out of the hands was clearly backwards,” said NRL executive general manager – elite football, Graham Annesley.

“Play should have been allowed to proceed. It was a misjudgment and it was wrong.”

Mestrov added: “Obviously it’s disappointing and we appreciate Graham (Annesley) admitting that it was a mistake. It doesn’t give us the two points back I appreciate the honesty.

“We realise things swing in roundabouts and you get some 50-50 calls and you lose some.”

During commentary for Fox Sports, former Test player Greg Alexander was shocked at Sutton’s decision.

“At that no stage did I think there was a forward pass in that movement,” Alexander said. “No, no, no. No way was that forward, what is wrong? That’s a let off for Souths.”

On a positive note, Annesley came forward to reveal why he thinks the standard of NRL this year has been so impressive.

“More than three-quarters of all games this season have been decided by 12 points or less. So far, after four rounds, it’s the most number of games within that margin since 1908,” Annesley said.

“The quality of the play has been outstanding and clearly some of the rule tweaks the ARL Commission approved for this season have contributed.

“There have been fewer bunker interventions for foul play which has led to less stoppages and more continuous play.

“I also believe the change to 10 metre compliance with the need for both feet to be in line or behind the referee, has opened up the game and led to a more entertaining standard of football.”

Daly Cherry-Evans and the Sea Eagles were robbed of a fair try against Souths. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

‘COMPLETE FARCE’: MANLY TOPPLED AFTER COSTLY REF BLUNDER

Martin Gabor

Cody Walker did the early damage before halves partner Lachlan Ilias provided the heroics as the Rabbitohs honoured the late John Sattler with an emotional 13-12 win over the Sea Eagles in a super Saturday classic.

But the win wasn’t without controversy, with the Sea Eagles denied a ‘wonderful try’ by referee Chris Sutton which left commentators stunned.

“Well that is a wonderful try that has been denied and the Eagles are incensed,” Dan Ginnane said.

“At that no stage did I think there was a forward pass in that movement,” Greg Alexander said.

Shocking forward pass decision. A complete farce

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) March 25, 2023

120 years ago, when men first sat down to draw up rules for this game called rugby league, what was purpose of “forward pass” rule? I would imagine that whatever their intention, they would never have envisaged that Manly pass tonight being adjudged as forward. So pedantic.

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 25, 2023

“No, no, no. No way was that forward, what is wrong? That’s a let off for Souths.”

It looked for long stretches like the Sea Eagles would continue their unbeaten start to the season, but Waker’s second try of the night tied things up before madness dominated the final few minutes.

There were emotional scenes after the game with the entire crowd staying behind as Sattler’s rendition of Glory Glory to South Sydney played on the big screen after they scored 13 points to honour his jersey against the team he beat in the 1970 Grand Final with a broken jaw.

The fans had earlier stood as one for a stirring minute’s silence while they rose to give the Souths legend a round of applause after 13 minutes to honour his incredible contribution to the club.

Cody Walker scored a double for the Rabbitohs, as his side honoured the late John Sattler in a controversial match. Picture: Getty Images.

FORWARD THINKING

The annual chat about forward pass technology will fire up this week after the Sea Eagles were denied a clear try by the officials.

Head office has mentioned the idea of putting chips in balls for years, and the same old questions will resurface after Chris Sutton found a forward pass from Brad Parker that rubbed out what would have been a spectacular Tom Trbojevic try.

The problem was the pass was perfectly legal and should have resulted in four points for the visitors midway through the first half.

“The referees and the touchies are closest to it,” Anthony Seibold said.

“It would have been great if it was awarded because it was actually decent footy, but some calls you get and some you don’t.

“It was early in the game so we had enough time to give ourselves another opportunity.”