‘So wrong’: Bunker makes NRL a laughing stock as Panthers into Grand Final

The Penrith Panthers are through to a fifth straight grand final but only after surviving a Bunker call that left the NRL world fuming.

NRL fans and commentators have been left in disbelief after the Bunker once again made its presence known for all the wrong reasons.

The Penrith Panthers have booked their place in a fifth straight grand final as they chase an unprecedented fourth straight title, which would be a first in the NRL era and first in first-grade rugby league since the legendary St George side of 1956-1966 that won 11 straight.

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But the 26-6 victory didn’t look secure with 20 minutes remaining with the scoreline reduced to 10-6 after a stunning run of decisions blow the game wide open.

In the 58th minute, the Panthers looked to have opened a 14-2 lead when Sunia Turuva crossed in the corner.

However, the Bunker stepped in after the ball was shifted wide with the Panthers’ Luke Garner and Sharks’ Siosifa Talakai coming together.

On Fox League, Cooper Cronk said: “I think Talakai makes a bad decision. I think he goes for a shortcut here.”

Dan Ginnane said: “You’ve picked it.”

Upon replay, Cronk added: “Luke Garner runs the line and I think Talakai makes a poor decision and a shortcut and plays for an obstruction here.”

Talakai put a hit on. Photo: Fox Sports

The Channel 9 commentators agreed.

Andrew Johns said Talakai “played the man”, and “instigates it trying to get a penalty”, adding it was “fair game”.

However, Bunker official Chris Butler disagreed.

“Looking at the lead runner of Luke Garner, he runs at the outside shoulder of Sifa Talakai, takes him out of the play, denies him any opportunity to defend which is an obstruction,” Butler said.

But Cronk wasn’t sold.

“He played that big time,” he added.

Corey Parker suggested the issue was the “inside shoulder”.

Cronk replied: “The inside shoulder, that’s a football movement that Talakai has played for there.”

Seriously NRL, get it together. Photo: Fox Sports

On Nine, Phil Gould was furious.

“That is so wrong,” he said.

“If we see the front-on from behind and you can see Talakai, Talakai instigates,” Andrew Johns said.

“He makes the tackle. It is just … honestly.”

Gould added: “He positioned him there to make that tackle. He did that himself — dear, oh dear, oh dear.”

When the Sharks were piggybacked up the field via a high tackle penalty after Tom Hazelton slipped and was almost on the ground, Cronulla made a game of it when Sione Katoa scored in the corner.

While the Sharks fans went berserk, it left a bad taste in many others’ mouths.

“Shark just spoon fed a try. Unbelievable,” Newswire contributor Jack Brady commented.

The Mancave Sports X account wrote: “F**k the NRL is a joke. How the f**k is that obstruction?”

Ex-Raiders player turned ABC Grandstand host Sam Williams tweeted: “I defend the bunker but that no try is a joke. As clear as a try can be.”

Another replied: “Their reason for disallowing it made no sense either. Attacker was nowhere near the outside shoulder.”

The Panthers are through to a fifth straight grand final. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Another fan said: “Outside shoulder doesn't count anymore.”

A third replied: “The bunker just make it up as they go.”

A fourth said: “And you wonder why people are getting sick of The Bunker and this game.”

Fortunately for the Panthers, it didn’t matter too much as Penrith put on the afterburners to open up a comfortable lead at the finish.

The result makes the Panthers the first side since the 1967-1971 South Sydney Rabbitohs to make five-straight grand finals — that team won four of them.

Originally published as ‘So wrong’: Bunker makes NRL a laughing stock as Panthers into Grand Final