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NRL world blasts 'disgraceful' call as Parramatta robbed of incredible victory over Panthers

Penrith appeared to get away with a blatant obstruction during their match-winning try.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

Trent Barrett and Clint Gutherson have joined a chorus of NRL fans questioning why the Panthers' match-winning try was allowed to stand against Parramatta on Friday night. Penrith produced an extraordinary comeback to break the Eels' hearts, scoring three tries in the last seven minutes to win 36-34 after trailing 34-20.

But questions are being asked about the final try after Liam Martin appeared to produce a blatant obstruction to allow the Panthers to stream downfield. Martin barrelled into Daejarn Asi in the defensive line and knocked him off his feet, meaning he wasn't able to slide across and help defend.

Panthers players celebrate after their match-winning try against Parramatta.
Many thought there was a blatant obstruction on the Panthers' match-winning try. Image: Fox League/Getty

Daine Laurie sliced through the line two defenders from where Asi was, but the Eels halfback was denied a chance to try and help out. Laurie then raced downfield and set up Izack Tago for the match-winning try, which was given the tick of approval by the bunker.

But it was an extraordinary call to allow Martin's actions to stand given it appeared a clear-cut obstruction. "The last try I thought there was an obstruction in there and a pretty bad one too," Barrett said in his post-match press conference.

"How that happens with the officiating that we've got and how many people are looking at it, I don't know. Daejarn Asi just got knocked over by Liam and it shouldn't have been a try."

The Panthers scored three late tries to beat Parramatta. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
The Panthers scored three late tries to beat Parramatta. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Clint Gutherson looks on after the Eels' controversial loss to Penrith. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Clint Gutherson looks on after the Eels' controversial loss to Penrith. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Barrett suggested the Panthers got the call because they're coming second, while the Eels are 16th. The likes of Todd Payten and Justin Holbrook made similar comments two years ago, suggesting a team's standing on the ladder can dictate calls and decision.

"There were a few (calls) and sometimes that happens when you're not supposed to be winning, either," Barrett said. "Penrith are the premiers and maybe they were a bit surprised we were in the contest and you don't get them. We didn't get a couple (of calls) tonight. The last one is hard to cop, you just can't do that. You see it every other week and they get pulled up. That cost us the game."

Gutherson was also left fuming post match, after his on-field appeals were turned down by referee Peter Gough and the bunker. "If you're looking at it that long then there has to be something there," he said.

"I feel like if the lead (runner) is hitting our half and he's hitting the deck, then we can't have cover tackles, we don't have the movement to get there. It's a lottery at the moment which is disappointing."

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Asked about the issue after the match, Penrith captain Isaah Yeo played down the issue. "I've been big on it the whole year, sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't," Yeo said. "We didn't get all that many tonight either. But the 50-50s, over the course of the season they all marry up. I don't think there was anything wrong with it."

Fans were up in arms on social media, with some labelling it a 'disgraceful' and 'joke' call. "Liam Martin runs straight into the line and knocks Asi over. Bunker is clueless," one person wrote.

with AAP