Shane Flanagan’s frustration about the impact of refereeing errors on the golden-point defeat to the Wests Tigers was unmistakable: “In my books, we should’ve won”.
The Sharks coach, alongside the rest of the spectators, watched in disbelief as Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall executed a 35m field goal under immense pressure in extra-time, securing a 17-16 triumph for his team at their cherished Leichhardt Oval.
Just a minute before, the Tigers had received a penalty after an intense start to extra-time when Sharks five-eighth Todd Carney’s kick-off struck the crossbar, allowing his team to regain possession.
Carney aimed for the match-winning field goal from directly in front and 20m out but saw it charged down by Tigers forwards Aaron Woods and Chris Heighington, who appeared to be offside.
As Marshall dived for the loose ball, he seemed to knock on, yet referee Jared Maxwell awarded a penalty, citing that the Sharks players were offside due to their position in relation to the kicker.
It’s anticipated that an NRL review of the incident today will conclude that any penalty should have favored the Sharks, or at the very least, they should have retained possession with an opportunity to potentially win the match.
However, shortly thereafter, Marshall delivered the decisive strike.
This critical decision led Flanagan to enter the post-match press conference with a clear message.
“I’m going to have to go and check the rules, because if they charge down how can they be offside?” he challenged.
“Benji Marshall knocked it on anyway; I thought once they’re charging it down, making a play at our kicker, we’re onside. Even considering that, Benji knocked it on first, and then we played at the ball.”
Flanagan also confronted Maxwell regarding the immediate disallowance of a 64th-minute try by centre Colin Best for a supposed double movement, instead of deferring to video referee Steve Clark. Adding to his irritation was the fact that Clark later acknowledged it was a significant mistake and the try should have counted.
“What about the Colin Best try?” Flanagan queried. “That’s a try every day of the week. The video ref was two boxes up from me and he said it was a try.
“You’ve got the video ref, but you don’t utilize it.
“If you’re not going to use them, get rid of them. Save some money. Give it to junior league.”
Best was convinced he scored a valid try. “I scored,” he insisted. “We can’t change it now, but it would’ve been nice if he sent it upstairs. He ruled straight away and said no.”
When reached last night, referees boss Bill Harrigan was hesitant to comment on the situation since he had not viewed the match – although it seems unlikely Maxwell will gain first-grade selection in the upcoming weekend due to the importance of his decisions.
“But I can say that once a ball is charged down, the players in front of the kicker are no longer offside,” Harrigan stated.
These decisions left two blemishes on an otherwise exhilarating match, which unfolded in sweltering heat that caused numerous players to collapse with cramp as if a sniper was stationed atop the old scoreboard on the hill.
After a lackluster first half, Carney played a pivotal role in sparking a Sharks revival towards the game’s end, leading 16-12 with four minutes left to play.
Then, the ball found its way to Tigers winger Beau Ryan, who expertly grubber-kicked along the sideline and secured a try in the corner – his second of the day – to equalize. Marshall’s conversion attempt to clinch the win narrowly missed.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens asserted that his team deserved their victory despite the officials’ missteps. “I feel for the Sharks but that’s football,” Sheens remarked.
“Those things happen to all of us at some stage.”
by Terrence Johns
