‘What a balls up’: Fans rage as NRL controversy all but ends Manly’s season

The Sea Eagles’ season is seemingly hanging on results going their way after a controversial try cost them dearly against the Panthers.

The loss almost ends the Sea Eagles' season. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

The Penrith Panthers have edged closer to a third minor premiership in four years with a 24-12 win over the Manly Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park on Thursday night.

But NRL fans have savaged an absolute howler of a call from referee Gerard Sutton, which handed the Panthers a try just before halftime.

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Manly, who are 11th on the NRL ladder on 25 points, needed a win to keep their season alive in a mad scramble to the finals but were dealt the bitter blow, going to the halftime break at 12-all after the stunning decision.

Attacking the Manly line, Nathan Cleary put up a huge bomb to Sea Eagle Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega’s wing.

A knock on from Martin leads to Crichton's second try of the night.

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Penrith’s NSW Origin representative forward Liam Martin chased and knocked the ball into his rival winger, but regathered the ball.

Laying on the ground, he passed the ball despite a hand on him. And Sutton called it six again.

The ball came out to Nathan Cleary, who attempted a kick and regathered before a player was finally tackled.

The Panthers then spread the ball wide for Stephen Crichton to score his second try of the match.

But the commentators quickly called out the drama, all pointing out it appeared the ball had been bobbled by Martin into Vaega.

“I think Martin loses the ball into Vaega and everyone had stopped,” Ennis said.

“And all of a sudden Gerard Sutton started saying ‘six to go’.

“But Nathan (Cleary) had already attempted a kick. That looked like play was about to break down.”

After praising Soni Luke for his pass for the try as the Panthers played to the whistle, Ennis double down.

“What a contentious moment this is,” Ennis said. “After a blatant knock on from Liam Martin. Huge call.”

It was a "blatant knock on" from Martin. Photo: Fox Sports

At halftime, Panthers legend Greg Alexander admitted it was a clear knock on but said the play the ball “saved Penrith”.

“Against the run of play you’d have to say — Liam Martin went up for the ball with Ray Fiaga, Liam probably got a touch to it first, knocked it into Vaega and got it back,” Alexander said.

“The referee has allowed the play the ball to happen and so they couldn’t go back and Stephen Crichton scores.

“Liam definitely gets a hand to it and he ends up taking it but not before it hit the Manly winger.”

There were also suggestions that Cleary had knocked on but there was contention over whether he’d kicked it before regathering.

Cooper Cronk said it was a “huge moment in the game, because at that stage it was all Manly”.

On Nine, Billy Slater said: “There’s a few question marks about this. Liam Martin, he knocks it on, and then is he tackled?”

In the background, Andrew Johns said: “He is tackled.”

Slater continued: “And then Nathan knocks it on. But they can’t rule on that.”

While you could argue the protests came from viewers who had the advantage of a replay, the referee’s decision was savaged on social media.

I’m still stunned how they missed Martin’s knock-on in the lead-up to that try. How is that possible? Is the same bloke in the bunker who oversaw the Dragons game last week? #NRLManlyPanthers

— John Dean (@JohnDean_) August 10, 2023

A knock on and passing off the ground - a hand was on him that's enough ..but ref says play on .. tackle made so not change to refer !!!
What a balls up that was #NRLManlyPanthers@wwos

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) August 10, 2023

What a joke that the @NRL ref and both the touch judges missed two knock ons #NRLManlyPanthers

— Dan (@d__marks) August 10, 2023

Knock on by Penrith but not called… #NRLManlyPanthers

— Rugby League News (@RugbyLeagueNews) August 10, 2023

Try confirmed, when there were 2 knock-ons & a forward pass in the lead up. Tell me again how Penrith don't get preferential treatment from the refs 🙄 FFS #NRLManlyPanthers

— Michael Deacon (@mkdeacon) August 10, 2023

Penrith fan here / we can go back 3 sets for foul play leading a sin bin penalty but can’t go back 1 play for a blatant knock on which leads to a try

Surely can go back and make the correct call in real time #NRLManlyPanthers

— maybejvke (@maybejvke) August 10, 2023

The result leaves the Sea Eagles season hanging by a thread. Picture: NRL Photos

Although social media is flooded with fans on all sides claiming to be hard done by after almost every game, it’ll be a hard decision to take for Sea Eagles fans.

Before the match, the Fox Sports panel said teams would need 32 points to make the finals.

With three matches left, the Sea Eagles can only reach 31 points and will seemingly need wins against the Warriors in New Zealand, the Bulldogs and Tigers as well as results to go their way to have any hope of making the finals.

The Panthers on the other hand are firming for a third minor premiership in four years as the Broncos appear to be the only other side in the hunt for the JJ Giltinan Shield.