Grand final likes and dislikes: NRL debunks Bunker ‘no try’ controversy

The NRL has moved to douse the Bunker spot fire that divided the rugby league community, with head of football Graham Annesley showing footage that supports the on-field decision. WATCH HERE

Video footage has shown that bunker official Grant Atkins correctly ruled a no try to Melbourne centre Jack Howarth.

While some opinion was divided if Howarth had planted the ball down in a crucial moment in the second half, the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley showed footage which clearly supported Atkins’ decision.

Annesley briefed media shortly after full-time after grainy footage on social media sent the rugby league world into a spiral.

The replays showed Howarth’s own arm prevented him from getting the ball down.

WATCH THE MOMENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

“At no stage did the ball hit the ground,” Annesley said. “When I saw it in live action I thought I saw the ball on the ground.

“It’s when we go back and look at it clearly we can see a different colour between the arm and the ball. The ball is sitting on the arm.”

The Storm were trailing 10-6 at the time. He received an inside ball from Xavier Coates and looked destined to score only to be surrounded by a host of Penrith players.

Their desperation prevented a try. On-field referee Ashley Klein also ruled a no-try on the field.

GRAND FINAL DISLIKES

MELBOURNE’S MIDDLES

If there is a chink in Melbourne’s armour, it has been Craig Bellamy’s forward pack in recent years.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona being rubbed out from the grand final didn’t help the Storm’s cause on Sunday night.

Melbourne’s big men were totally run off their feet just minutes into the second half, as Penrith made easy work through the middle.

Starting props Tui Kamikamica and Josh King, who had been an unsung hero in Bellamy’s pack, only managed a combined 95 metres.

The Storm missed suspended prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Last night, the Storm clearly missed Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s explosive go forward and menacing aggression in defence.

They also missed his 22 games of final experience.

There was some chatter before kick-off that the NRL will consider reassessing how bans handed out in the lead up to the grand final would be treated.

The Tackle maintains that if a player with a rap sheet is found guilty of a charge at the judiciary, they should be forced to do the time regardless of whether a grand final is at stake.

BITING CONTROVERSY

Penrith historic grand final win ended with an explosive biting allegation.

Melbourne’s Cameron Munster was put on report after Penrith’s Paul Alamoti accused the Storm five-eighth of biting him on the forearm in the 74th minute.

Replays showed that Alamoti had his forearm wrapped around the same area of Munster’s mouth.

Munster looked shocked when he was put on report after the allegation but referee Ashley Klein said there was not enough evidence to take further action on the field.

“We can’t be certain. It is on report. We will deal with it later,” Klein said at the time.

Only in August the NRL judiciary issued a stern warning to players about biting that any player found guilty of the illegal conduct would face a substantial suspension.

The warning came after St George Illawarra’s Kyle Flanagan was hit with a four-game ban for biting Stephen Crichton on the nose.

Cameron Munster was put on report for this incident.

GRAND FINAL LIKE

JIVE WITH CLIVE

Hard-nosed Penrith backrower Liam Martin has been crowned the Clive Churchill Medallist in the Panthers historic fourth-straight title win.

The decision came as a shock to some fans with halfback Nathan Cleary close to best on ground despite his shoulder giving way in the late exchanges on Sunday night.

Had Cleary been awarded the prestigious medal, the playmaker would have been the first player to win back to back medals and the first to win it on three separate occasions.

But Martin spoiled Cleary’s party.

However the backrower is a worthy winner.

Liam Martin was a deserving Clive Churchill Medal winner.

The Temora product came up with a number of big plays in the 14-6 win at Accor Stadium, including a try.

“So surreal. I just want to congratulate Storm on a fantastic year,” Martin said. “I’ve got the utmost respect for you guys. You’re just there every year.

“To our boys, I love you so much.

“Just shows the character we have to dig deep and I was gone then but to have you boys drag me along, I adore you guys, the fans.

“Just love you guys. Thank you so much. We do it for you. We do it for Penrith. Love yous.”

LAST RIDE

The last ride for Jahrome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva ended in the most fitting way possible for the Panthers trio.

Unlike the Roosters, who were reluctant to lean into the emotion of having to farewell the likes of Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Penrith did not shy away from the hard goodbye facing the club this year.

The players tapped into it.

No more so than Luai and Fisher-Harris.

Jarome Luai (R) farewelled the Panthers with a title. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Big man Fisher-Harris was massive in the opening exchanges, putting a 31-minute stint in the first half leaving nothing out on the field.

Luai was a livewire all game long as probed the Melbourne defence.

Turuva answered every question in defence and under the high ball, as Melbourne’s kickers peppered the winger all game long.

Turuva pledged to do everything in his power to send out Luai and Fisher-Harris with another premiership ring.

Turuva and his Penrith teammates delivered on that promise on Sunday night.