‘Scared to make a decision’: NRL fans tear Bunker to shreds over strip call

The 2024 NRL Grand Final produced one of the great first halves of all time, but one huge call left many fans furious.

Fans were treated to one of the great first halves in NRL history on Sunday night, but a huge call left viewers worried.

The Panthers responded to the Storm’s opening try with two of their own to take a 10-6 lead at the halftime break in a match that more than lived up to its billing.

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The game has been played at a frenetic pace with very few stoppages and some of the best defence you’re ever likely to see from both sides.

After a stalemate in the first 20 minutes, Storm skipper Harry Grant burrowed over from dummy half to open the scoring.

However, some fans were left fuming after an inconclusive decision from the Bunker gave the Storm field position.

Deep in their own end of the field, Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was being handled by three Panthers players when the ball spilled out, with referee Ashley Klein ruling a strip.

The Panthers immediately sent it upstairs for a captain’s challenge and appeared to be vindicated on first viewing.

This was the first angle. Photo: Channel 9

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns believed the call should have been overturned.

“I think (Jarome) Luai is playing at the arm,” Johns said. “Then he pulls his hands away.

“He’s trying to lift his arm up. I think this will go in Penrith’s favour.”

But while the first angle showed the play clearly, another angle was blocked by Panthers centre Paul Alamoti’s body, while a third was blocked by Storm players.

Bunker official Grant Atkins sent the decision back as inconclusive.

“Based on all available angles, we’ll be supported the live decision of strip — Penrith will maintain their challenge,” Atkins said.

While fans have long been worried about a Bunker decision changing or deciding a grand final, the inconclusive call did lead to the opening score.

A long touch-finder from Jahrome Hughes took the Storm from their own 20m line to the Panthers’ 30m.

Three tackles later, Grant scooted over the line and Panthers supporters were furious.

“A blatant bunker mess-up costs panthers 6 points typical #NRLGrandFinal #NRLGF scared to make decisions,” one fan wrote.

Another suggested: “I don’t follow either side but that was not a strip. Bunker/Storm 6 Panthers 0.”

This was the angle that sparked the call. Photo: Channel 9

Another Panthers fan commented: “Rough to concede that after what was probably a loose carry called a strip.”

Another fan posted: “Some kick to touch that, completely flipped territory, questionable if it was a strip.”

A fifth said: “Off a terrible bunker decision … clearly no strip.”

A sixth added: “Huge call (and a very consequential one) to say it was stripped down the other end!”

However, Storm fans were also unhappy, with one writing: “Ahhh of course the bunker allows Penrith to retain their challenge. What a disgrace.”

Another told the Panthers fans to “get over it”.

However it could be the key to match for the Storm after Grant made the most of field position.

Harry Grant made the most of the field position. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The Panthers had dominated territory all through the first half, but at halftime, Phil Gould gave the three-time defending champions a warning.

“Melbourne have done well. They have been in survival mode to keep themselves in the contest,” he said.

“I don’t think any other team would have been within four points of the Panthers at halftime.

“The positive for the Melbourne Storm is they only got down the end once and scored a soft try.

“If you are Craig Bellamy, you are saying, ‘You need field position and if you get that you have got the players to score points’.”