Shaun Johnson has criticized the use of slow-motion replays in the Bunker after a peculiar penalty was handed to the Eels following a review of an airborne contest.
Bailey Simonsson was the player penalised by the Bunker for an aerial tackle attempt on Sharks sensation Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Both players leapt to challenge for a kick near the try line, with Mulitalo attempting to ground the ball while twisting over Simonsson.
The Sharks winger’s spectacular effort sparked a wave of excitement on the field, despite Mulitalo being unsure whether he had actually scored.
“As long as he can touch the ball, he can place it anywhere,” remarked Cooper Cronk on Fox League.
“That’s phenomenal!” Johnson added.
Ronaldo Mulitalo attempts to score against the Parramatta Eels. Getty
Referee Peter Gough initially ruled no try after consulting with the Bunker regarding the grounding of the ball.
However, a subsequent replay revealed that the ball had fallen short of the line and slipped from Mulitalo’s grip.
In an unexpected twist, a penalty was then awarded to the Sharks as the Bunker determined that Simonsson had attempted a tackle while Mulitalo was still in mid-air.
“This is absurd,” Johnson stated.
“The action unfolds so quickly; stop analysing it in slow motion.”
Mitchell Moses reacts angrily as his team is penalised for a try-saving tackle. Fox Footy
The former Warriors star further questioned how a penalty try wasn’t awarded if Simonsson’s action was considered an aerial tackle.
Chris Butler, the Bunker’s senior official, explained that the award of a penalty try was dismissed because “Ronaldo had ample space to ground the ball.”
Mitchell Moses was overheard appealing to referee Gough for clarification regarding the penalty as it was being discussed on-field.
“What more could he do?” Moses questioned, while Gough indicated that Simonsson had made contact with his opponent’s arm in mid-air.
“He’s already leapt towards him. What else can he do?”
“I can’t provide an answer to that right now,” Gough responded.
“I recognise that you disagree with the call, but that’s the decision that has been made.”
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