Penrith have scored their fourth try of the night through Brian To'o but an obstruction drama has erupted.
The obstruction rule has been frustrating fans all season but the way the rule has generally been enforced is if the decoy runner runs on the outside shoulder, it will be ruled an obstruction if any contact is made with the defensive line.
But as the Panthers went wide, Viliame Kikau contacted Mitchell Moses on the outside shoulder on the decoy.
It appeared as though Moses had made the decision to make the contact.
Referee Ashley Klein awarded the try to To'o and said it was "a defensive decision" from Moses.
The Bunker said: "The ball caught on the outside. Viliame Kikau is through the gap. Mitchell Moses then elects to grab around his waist making a defensive decision. Play ongoing to this point."
But even though it's generally hated as a ruling, the Nine commentary booth said it should have been an obstruction.
Cameron Smith said: "This has been ruled against teams all year – this can't be a try.
"I don't know. I'm confused now. All year Joey. "
Andrew Johns added: "Inside shoulder, outside shoulder that. Showed it perfectly. That clip from behind, he had to run between Mitchell Moses and Isaiah Papalii."
"He doesn't. And Kikau runs to the outside of Moses and all year that has been a no try. Yep. The biggest game of the year, we make it up and change it.
Brad Fittler also joined in.
"The players know they have to go to the inside shoulder efforts. Mitchell Moses was following the ball when he looked up to make the play when the ball was passed, Kikau was in front of him.
"He might not have got to the ball. What Kikau did was he got in the way and obstructed his view of what was happening outside. So he obstructed him."
Radio commentator Oliver Peterson wrote on Twitter: “The referees and bunker are taking the Mickey. Complete joke. Kikau taking out Moses is penalty every day of the week but preferential Panthers treatment. And they penalise Parramatta in first half
for taking out clearly.”
Nine broadcaster Mark Gottlieb added: "Absolute rubbish call from the Bunker!!!! That’s been obstruction for a few years now. Clearly a penalty and no try. Plus a forward pass.
"No one likes that outside shoulder obstruction rule but it is what it is. Just ridiculous that it gets thrown out the window at random times.
When Freddy, Joey and Cam Smith all think it’s a clear obstruction from what has been called all season you know it’s a bad call. Those three HATE the outside shoulder obstruction rule. Never defend it.
