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Tony Williams, what was that?

BY SHEER accident, Tony Williams set up a try with a play Andrew Voss said he’d “never seen before”, and one that left Bill Harrigan “flabbergasted”.

James Matthey
3 min read
June 14, 2016 - 9:21AM
Tony Williams was responsible for one strange play.
Tony Williams was responsible for one strange play.

AH RUGBY league, it never ceases to amaze.

There’s been chatter recently that Tony Williams will be out the door at Canterbury — despite Des Hasler’s assertion that isn’t the case — but if the out-of-favour forward does leave the club, he’ll have left the fans with a parting gift to remember.

Returning to the side for the Bulldogs’ clash with the Dragons on Monday afternoon, he set up a try just on the hour mark. But he did it by complete accident.

Running down the left edge in St George’s half, the back-rower shaped to pass before actually trying to throw a ball to his outside. But instead of the ball reaching one of his outside backs, it actually hit his left hand, ricocheted over the Dragons’ defenders in front of him, and landed back in his grasp as he continued his way forward through the defensive line

He then passed back on the inside to fullback Will Hopoate who was following up in support and crossed under the sticks.

The referee sent the call upstairs to the bunker who, after countless replays, decided to let the four-pointer stand. It was green-lit because the officials ruled Williams didn’t intentionally throw the ball forward, and it wasn’t a knock on because the ball didn’t touch the ground or another player.

I meant to do that, I swear.
I meant to do that, I swear.

The decision prompted Dragons pivot Gareth Widdop to argue if something like that was legal, then we would see players from now on looping the ball over the heads of defenders and running through to catch it.

But as referee Jared Maxwell explained, the sheer accidental nature of Williams’ play meant it wasn’t an infringement.

“I’ve never seen that before,” said Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss. “I’m blown away by that.

“If you’re flabbergasted, I’m with you ... I’ve never seen that before.

“That is absolutely amazing, I don’t know what to make of it.”

Former iconic referee Bill Harrigan, who officiated plenty of State of Origin games and NRL grand finals in his time, was calling the game for Triple M and let listeners know he couldn’t believe the try was allowed to stand.

“I am sitting here absolutely flabbergasted by that one. That was an atrocious decision,” he said.

Andrew Johns facetiously chimed in with: “Is the bunker an alcohol free zone?”

The move of throwing the ball over defenders was actually made famous by Dally Messenger before it was outlawed.

There was no shortage of bemused fans on Twitter, with injured Dragon Josh Dugan left scratching his head at what he’d just seen.

The try was converted and gave the men from Belmore a 26-16 advantage of the Red V, and they maintained control for the final 20 minutes to win 34-16.

The try was a crucial turning point and broke much of the Dragons’ spirit.

Kerrod Holland added a penalty goal soon after and when Josh Reynolds pounced on a dropped ball in the 70th minute to race away and score the game was over.

It was a deflating end to what had promised to be a closely-fought game throughout an entertaining first half.

Kurt Mann and Tyson Frizell scored tries for the Dragons. Sam Perrett, Michael Lichaa and Moses Mbye also crossed for first half four-pointers as the Dogs enjoyed a 16-12 lead at halftime.

Mann scored his second shortly after the break to tie the scores at 16-all.

Curtis Rona scored out wide off a lovely Will Hopoate pass in the 58th minute before Hopoate’s unusual touchdown.

— with AAP

Originally published as Tony Williams, what was that?

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/nrl/tony-williams-what-was-that/news-story/9b7e6e431ddeb48fa8d64df5d1472d69