Xavier Savage found himself in disbelief during the match in Darwin when he was awarded a controversial penalty try in the Raiders’ dominant 50-point victory over the Eels.
The Raiders were given a chance to score in the 64th minute after Josh Addo-Carr received a spell in the sin bin for making contact with Savage.
A grubber kick by Kaeo Weekes landed just out of reach as it rolled over the top of Savage, leading to the incident being referred to the Bunker for review.
Xavier Savage reacts after being awarded a penalty try. Fox League
The two players were in a close race for possession as the ball approached the sideline, but referee Wyatt Raymond ruled that Addo-Carr had hindered Savage’s progress.
A video analysis revealed that Addo-Carr had made minimal contact, yet it was enough to prevent Savage from reaching the try line.
“Josh Addo-Carr illegally extends his arm and hinders Xavier Savage’s run,” remarked Bunker official Grant Atkins.
Josh Addo-Carr makes contact with Xavier Savage. Fox League
“We believe (Savage) would have reached the ball ahead of the Parramatta fullback and scored a try,” the officials concluded.
However, Savage’s bewilderment was not shared by league legend Michael Ennis, who expressed his support for the Bunker’s decision to award the penalty try.
“If Josh Addo-Carr hadn’t made contact, then (Savage) would have arrived before the ball’s bounce,” Ennis remarked on Fox League.
“I don’t disagree with that ruling.”
Hudson Young of the Raiders celebrates a try. Getty
Ultimately, the disputed penalty try did not alter the Eels’ night of despair, as the Raiders added two more tries, one each from Matty Nicholson and Sebastian Kris, to bump their tally to 50 points.
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Earlier in the match, the Raiders took charge inside the Eels’ 20-metre area, leading to skipper Joseph Tapine opening the scoring in the sixth minute.
Corey Horsburgh tried to follow suit soon after but fell short, before Eels star Dylan Brown levelled the scores.
However, Brown’s efforts were quickly eclipsed by Ethan Strange, who sparked a barrage of tries for the victorious green machine.
Other try scorers in the first half included Hudson Young and Matthew Timoko, with Young adding another six points in the 57th minute.
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