NRL 2024: Photo evidence of missed Kalyn Ponga field goal highlights concern over bunker decisions
The NRL’s polarising blocker debate has taken a dramatic turn, with photo evidence revealing more reasons for fans to be concerned with bunker decisions ahead of finals.
The NRL’s blocker debate has taken a dramatic twist with evidence that Kalyn Ponga’s field goal shot against the Sharks actually missed.
Amid outrage over the NRL’s polarising blocker laws which saw the Knights penalised for obstructing the Cronulla defenders when Ponga was shooting to land a one-point field goal in the 78th minute last Sunday night, this masthead has uncovered photographic evidence that should cause concern for fans.
Despite Ponga firing in a captain’s challenge against the blocking penalty, at no point did the match officials or video referee indicate the Knights superstar’s field goal sailed past the outside of the right-hand upright.
The entire process of Newcastle contesting the blockers was a wasted challenge due to the field goal missing.
It was also during the process of the captain’s challenge that the replay of Ponga’s missed shot showed Sharks fullback Will Kennedy standing in an offside position.
However, the NRL have deemed that the video referee isn’t in a position to rule on offside due to the halfway line position of the broadcast cameras.
The photo of Ponga’s missed field goal shot raises questions on why the match officials didn’t communicate the unsuccessful shot to fans and TV viewers at the time and in addition, that every field goal shot needs to be analysed with greater detail, particularly ahead of the NRL finals series.
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