‘Doesn’t look right’: Referee overrules Bunker in wild scenes

The Bunker regularly comes under fire from fans and commentators but rarely does it also cop flack from the on-field referee.

Reece Walsh didn't agree. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

The Penrith Panthers have pulled off a 15-4 win over the Brisbane Broncos to kick off Indigenous Round but it was a fascinating result after five tries were disallowed in the match.

But it was the 63rd minute that had the most intriguing moment of the match when on-field referee Adam Gee told Bunker reviewer Ashley Klein to re-review a potential Broncos try.

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A kick from halfback Jock Madden went up and the Broncos’ Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs were the first to the ball as the centre came down and appeared to score a try, which would have made it 14-8, or 14-10 with the conversion.

But on the replay, it appeared that Walsh had eyes only for the Panthers’ Tyrone Peachey before turning in the air to face the ball.

However, the Bunker initially ruled that Walsh was “contesting the ball”.

Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said: “Players have mastered the art of taking out opposition players while pretending to have a look at the ball.”

But while it appeared Klein would only be looking at the grounding, Gee’s voice came over the mic saying: “It doesn’t look right to me Ash.”

Walsh was ruled to have taken out Tyrone Peachey. Photo: Fox Sports

Klein then said he would check if Walsh had jumped early.

“I think the referee has interfered with the Bunker,” Ginnane said.

”Did you hear that? Adam Gee looking at the big screen says I’m not satisfied with this decision.”

Klein then ruled Walsh only had eyes for Peachey, ruling no try.

“I like that,” Cooper Cronk said. “I like the fact Adam Gee has called out the Bunker after viewing the video replay at the ground.”

Ginnane said: "It doesn’t matter how we got there but we got the right decision.”

However, the fans weren’t so happy, chanting “bulls**t”.

Just before the end of the match, Cronk called the moment “the turning point”.

Ginnane added: “It’s a watershed moment in the history of the bunker. It might have happened before but we can’t remember.”

The ref just overruled the bunker. Absolutely love it. Give Origin to Adam Gee #NRLBroncosPanthers

— Martin Gabor (@MartinJGabor) May 18, 2023

That is great refereeing from Adam Gee.#NRLBroncosPanthers

— Ryan Nixon (@NewYorkNixon) May 18, 2023

Great work from on-field referee Adam Gee to intervene there.

Would have been shocking if that try was allowed. #NRLBroncosPanthers

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) May 18, 2023

Walsh had several chats to Adam Gee throughout the match. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But while there was plenty of praise from across the NRL, former Broncos star Gorden Tallis hit out over the disallowed tries on Fox League’s The Late Show with Matty Johns.

“They were looking for reasons not to give points tonight,” Tallis said.

“Reece Walsh is such an athlete he just hangs in the air. He gets up and wasn’t looking earlier but then he turns around with the flight of the football. How can you say you left the ground too early if you’re still up there to catch the footy? I don’t get that.”

There were five tries disallowed in the match between the sides but it was largely a defensive battle as the Panthers leaped over the Broncos and currently sit on top of the NRL ladder — although the Rabbitohs can reclaim top spot with a win over Parramatta on Friday night.

An early try to Sunia Turuva was somewhat controversial as well as fans at Suncorp Stadium were baying for a double movement.

The Panthers’ Jarome Luai also potentially landed himself in hot water when he pushed touch judge Chris Sutton.

But after taking an 8-0 lead into halftime, the Panthers increased the lead when Nathan Cleary sliced through the line in the 49th minute.

While the Broncos hit back through Selwyn Cobbo, the home side couldn’t land another try, falling to back-to-back losses for the first time this season.