Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster puts spotlight on players not referees after controversial Magic Round finish
Plenty have questioned late decisions that helped the Canberra Raiders take down Melbourne Storm and a key player has had his say.
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Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster did his best to take the diplomatic route, claiming his side was “dumb” amid questions about a series of late refereeing decisions in a golden point loss to Canberra on Sunday night.
Storm gave up a 14-0 early lead to lose 20-18 in golden point after fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was denied a 75th minute field goal after teammate Trent Loiero was found to have dropped his elbow into an opponent while trying to get up to the play the ball in a previous play.
Then in golden point, Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu was pinged and sin-binned for stomping on Canberra hooker Tom Starling in the play-the-ball despite replays showing little intent.
In the dying stages, Loiero was again pinged for a high shot that enabled Jamal Fogarty to kick the winning penalty goal.
The trio of calamities put referee Gerard Sutton and the bunker in the spotlight at the end of Magic Round, but Munster said the blame lay with his team.
“I can’t remember the last time a team got penalised with the ball, but we played some dumb footy tonight,” Munster said.
“As much as it looked like it was in the hands of the ref, we have to be disciplined with the ball.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow. We can’t afford to keep doing it.”
Munster also said there would be no fallout for Loiero, who would learn from the dual incidents.
“You don’t what to be the guy that clips a chin and they go for two and get the penalty. I have been in grand finals where I have done some silly stuff,” Munster said.
“He will learn from that.
“He’s a great player and we’ve all had those opportunities and lost those moments.
“Unfortunately, tonight it was him.”
Storm now sits fourth on the NRL ladder, with a 5-3 record.
Originally published as Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster puts spotlight on players not referees after controversial Magic Round finish
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