NRL to request drone footage after James Tedesco offside bunker controversy

A Bunker blunder could result in a major shift, with the NRL requesting access to drone footage, after video not seen by officials clearly showed James Tedesco was offside in the lead up to a Roosters try.

The NRL are expected to ask the host broadcasters for drone footage to assist with bunker decisions after a replay which clearly shows Roosters fullback James Tedesco off-side was unavailable to the bunker on Thursday night.

Channel 9 showed drone footage of Tedesco blatantly standing in front of a Sam Walker kick before the Roosters skipper chased down the bomb putting pressure on Storm fullback Nick Meaney. Meaney dropped the ball in the contest which allowed Zack Docker-Clay to scoop up possession and score in the 64th minute.

Drone footage from Channel 9 shows James Tedesco was clearly offside in the lead up to a try to Zach Dockar-Clay. Picture: Instagram.

Chris Butler ruled a try in the bunker which gave the Roosters the lead before the Storm were able to run the deficit down.

Whilst the decision did not impact the outcome it could spark a change in the lead-up to the finals. The replays available to Butler weren’t as conclusive as the clear-cut drone shot.

An NRL spokesman confirmed that the drone footage was not part of bunker operations at the moment.

“With access to the non-game day bunker camera, James Tedesco appears to be off-side,” the spokesman said.

It is understood Nine only sparingly uses drones as part of its coverage and only do so as big games. Even on those occasions, their use of the technology is reliant on the weather and wind conditions meaning the use of a drone may not be available at all grounds on all occasions.

However, it is believed they would be open to sharing footage with the NRL for the benefit of the bunker.

The NRL is now expected to request the footage as well given events of Thursday night, when it would have helped the match officials with their decision on the Tedesco off-side call.

Immortal Andrew Johns picked-up that Tedesco was off-side during the call.

“Is Teddy onside here? We’ll have a look at this one, I think he might be offside. He normally never gets that wrong either,” Johns said on Nine.

Originally published as NRL to request drone footage after James Tedesco offside bunker controversy