‘That’s not a try’: NRL in disbelief over Bunker ‘howler’

There is one person in the world who believed Nelson Asofa-Solomona scored against the Panthers, and it wasn’t the man himself.

This was given a try. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

C’mon Bunker, you’ve got to be kidding at this point.

Penrith have bounced back after a slow start to claim a 34-16 thrashing of the Melbourne Storm.

The Storm opened up a 14-0 lead over the Panthers after 25 minutes when hulking second rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona bounced over the line.

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However there were plenty of questions as even Asofa-Solomona didn’t look at all confident he’d scored.

There were two issues — he had landed and seemingly made a second movement despite Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards holding on, and the tackle over the top from Sunia Turuva appeared to knock the ball out.

In commentary for Fox Sports, Michael Ennis said: “I’m not sure he has control anyway.

“I think this might get taken off him.”

The Bunker said Asofa-Solomona was in control. Photo: Fox Sports

Dan Ginnane agreed and said Asofa-Solomona “was not entitled to promote the ball, you would think”.

When referee Adam Gee sent it upstairs, bunker official Gerard Sutton ignored a potential double movement and claimed Asofa-Solomona regripped the ball before it touched the ground.

’Wow,” Ginnane said as the try sign went off. “I even think Nelson’s surprised by that.”

Ennis added: “Boy that’s … bit of luck going to Melbourne there.”

Ginnane: “You want to say it Mick, that’s not a try.”

Ennis: “No, I’m certain that’s not a try.”

Ginnane said it shows the Bunker is more lenient in 2023.

At halftime, Greg Alexander said: “I think Nelson himself was the red flag, I think he realised he didn’t score.

“Very quickly you saw his face change because I thought Nelson dropped the ball. Gerard Sutton said he lost the ball with his right but still controlled the ball with his left.

“I could watch that 1000 times and not come up with that. The ball comes free of his hands — am I seeing things?”

Nelson himself didn’t seem to think he scored. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

If anyone was going to disagree, it was Storm legend Cooper Cronk but even he was baffled by the call.

“I think it’s a no try, flat out,” he said. “I think it’s a double movement, hands on him first, and then loses control. I just don’t like this new rule at all. If it doesn’t look like a try, it’s not a try.”

How do they give that?! That's a howler.#NRLStormPanthers

— Elliott Lovejoy (@ElliottLovejoy) June 30, 2023

Bunker is having a terrible Friday night. Some weird calls in Game 1. Then that. #NRLStormPanthers

— Rob Morrison (@RabidRabbitoh) June 30, 2023

Wow. #NRLStormPanthers

— James Smith (@JamesSmith1001) June 30, 2023

Oh, Wow!
That will do me regarding the Bunker.

Pathetic! #NRLStormPanthers

— Sandy Hunter (@sandyhunter2) June 30, 2023

Double movement & a knock- on

Stunned 🙄 #NRLStormPanthers

— Morty 🐼 (@MortyAUS) June 30, 2023

On Nine, Phil Gould said: “Oh please. Wow, wow, wow.

“Excuse me did we not see a bobble there?”

Fans were blowing up deluxe on social media.

Incredibly, the Panthers came back before halftime to lead 16-14 at the break.It was a wild turnaround after the Storm started the much stronger of the sides.

The win sees the Panthers stay top of the ladder while the Storm will hold on to their place in the top four short of a 153 point win for the Raiders over the Titans, which is more than a little unlikely considering it would beat the biggest win in the history of Australian first-grade rugby league by 68 points.

After Asofa-Solomona’s try, the Panthers dominated, scoring six tries, while the Storm could only manage a penalty goal two minutes into the second half.