NRL grand final 2024: Cameron Munster speaks on controversial Melbourne Storm ‘no try’

On the 25th anniversary of Melbourne securing their first premiership after being awarded a penalty try against the Dragons in 1999, the club was left on the other side of a major refereeing decision against the Panthers.

Storm star Cameron Munster believes Melbourne were robbed of a crucial try to rookie Jack Howarth that guaranteed the biggest game of the year would be layered with controversy.

The emotional claim by Munster emerged ahead of the NRL going to the unprecedented measure of releasing video to the rugby league media after the match that wasn’t shown to viewers during the coverage on Channel Nine.

The video angle that the NRL have released suggests that Howarth was held-up.

Nine’s failure to show the video to their huge TV audience has only added to the grand final drama.

It hasn’t stopped fans and commentators lamenting the decision that ironically unfolded on the 25th anniversary of Melbourne securing their first premiership from a penalty-try against the Dragons in the 1999 grand final.

This time the Storm were left on the other side of a major refereeing decision.

The put down. Picture: Channel 9

Video referee Grant Atkins deemed Howarth was held-up over the try line in the 49th minute despite replays on Nine suggesting he may have found grass with the football.

The grand final defining moment unfolded after Munster lofted a perfectly weighted chip-kick to the wing of Xavier Coates.

Penrith led 10-6 at the time.

The 194cm winger used his height advantage over his opposite Brian To’o to leap, catch and release the Steeden backwards to an unmarked Howarth, standing just five-metres from the Penrith tryline.

Coates’ acrobatic skill level to hover inside the touch in-goal line before releasing the pass will never be celebrated like it should be.

Everything that happened next is now up for huge debate.

With the footy in his right-hand, 21-year-old Howarth lowered his body and drove his frame towards the try line.

Penrith, in an example of their championship character, began launching bodies towards Howarth as he surged for the line.

Penrith’s Nathan Cleary dived to his left like a goalkeeper, centre Izaac Tago lurched across in cover, fullback Dylan Edwards hooked his arms under Howarth’s ball-carry and Mitch Kenny hurled himself on top of the pile-on.

On-field referee Ashley Klein couldn’t tell from his view if Howarth got the ball down legally and sent the decision of ‘no try’ up to Atkins.

Then the replays began to tell a story that Munster felt was obvious.

“It’s disappointing. We have so many cameras in the game and that one changed momentum,’’ Munster told Triple M.

“It could’ve changed the game.

“I thought it was a try.

“But unfortunately we didn’t get the rub of the green and someone has to live with that at the end of the day.’’

Johns and Fittler backed Munster’s judgment during commentary for Channel 9.

“He gets it down. That’s a try,’’ Johns said.

“The ball gets down, right there.

“The ball hits the ground.

“I’m sure the ball gets down. It’s down. Hits the ground.’’

Cameron Munster disagreed with the call.

Atkins disagreed, stating through his audio: “Jack Howarth is held-up in the in-goal.’’

With Penrith taking over possession, Fittler then spoke into his microphone.

“When you go into the bunker there’s about 20 or 23 camera angles, so whoever is sitting there at the moment, which is Grant Atkins, he would’ve had every possible view,’’ Fittler said.

“And from what I saw, his hand was underneath the ball.’’

Commentating on Triple M radio, James Graham also felt Howarth had scored a try.

“It’s a try. I feel that (ball) touched the grass and we could see that,’’ Graham said.

Co-commentator Ryan Girdler disagreed: “It’s (ball) on arms.’’

Lead commentator Dan Ginnane backed Graham’s call: “I think it’s a try.’’

The decision was made all the more critical by the fact that just 12 minutes later, Penrith surged further ahead when centre Paul Alamoti scored a try to push the premiers ahead to their 14-6 victory.