CHRIS LAWRENCE – PENALTY TRY OR NOT?
Wests Tigers can’t take a trick.
Last week it was Korbin Sims’ controversy with the second ball interfering with Jordan Rankin taking Trent Hodkinson’s bomb. ย This week it was Chris Lawrence being held back by Richie Kennar chasing through Robbie Farah’s kick in goal.
Whether you agree with the final decision or not, television viewers were able to follow the NRL Bunker’s thought process. ย If there’s any good to come out of the NRL Bunker, it’s transparency.
It was disappointing that the ‘host broadcaster’ couldn’t show the same vision the NRL Bunker were using to make a decision, something highlighted by Andrew Voss in Thursday night’s Eels victory over Manly at Brookvale.
I can understand the decision of no try regarding Lawrence’s position in relation to the bounce of the ball and proximity. ย There had to be a high level of possibility that he would get to the ball first before it went dead in goal.
One thing everyone can agree with is Kennar’s sin bin.
Tigers fans would be wondering if this incident happened against a Brisbane, or Cowboys whether the decision would have been different and in fact it would have been a try.
‘TAKING THE TWO POINTS’ ISN’T ALWAYS FEASIBLE
We’ve seen clubs taking the easy option of two points when in a position to do so.
For some teams I believe this is a good option in games that will come down to the wire. ย It was demonstrated in the Broncos vs Cowboys game over Easter how important it was to take penalty goals. ย I also recall where Penrith’s Jamie Soward took two points over a try ten minutes into the second half to give his side a ten point lead, a game they lost by two.
With Melbourne down a man in the sin bin and in their red zone the Tigers opted to take two points and to take a narrow lead at 6-4. ย If I was Jason Taylor, I would have been challenging the Storm to defend their line especially to their right hand edge with debutantย Suliasi Vunivalu the target seeing his inside centre partner Kennar was in the bin.
At the time I saw this as a wasted opportunity because you won’t win games against top teams like Melbourne by taking the two. ย Today it got them into Golden Point but not victory overall.
BELLAMY ECHO TO RALLY TROOPS
Melbourne’s record atย Leichhardt Oval is poor having only won on three out of eleven occasions at the venue. ย It’s also so un-Melbourne like that in those eleven matches, they’d only led twice at half-time.
For the Storm to go in 12-4 behind statistically shouldn’t have been a surprise but against a side without local hero Aaron Woods it was a turn up for the books.
No wonder Craig Bellamy had a meltdown. ย In what could go down as a moment in history, half-time reports suggested that Bellamy’s spray could be heard echoing around the tunnel and into Jason Taylor’s dressing room. ย The Tigers full knew well what to expect in the second half.
Cooper Cronk rallied the troops and was instrumental in getting Melbourne back into the game. ย His try three minutes after the break and try assist forย Vunivalu’s second ten minutes later gave Melbourne a six point lead. ย It could have been more had it not been for Cam Smith’s one from five with the boot.
Bellamy won’t be happy that his side gave Wests Tigers a foot back in the door to draw level at 18-all at full-time. ย It was the methodical Cronk who sealed victory in the Golden Point lottery.
MITCHELL MOSES NOT QUITE THE HERO
It should have been a fairy tale finish to the game with the underdog taking out a big name team.
The game was handed to Wests Tigers on a plate in Golden Point whenย Vunivalu knocked the ball on just ten metres from his own line. ย The home side got into position in centre field for the winning play.
Moses in his 40th NRL game at the age of 21 was twenty-metres out in making the first field goal attempt that was sprayed wide giving the Storm a chance to go up-field and win the game.
It would have been Moses’ first field goal in the top grade and what a moment it would have been if he nailed it.
Moses has the makings of being an outstanding player for Wests Tigers and hopefully he will learn from the pressure that was placed on him to make that match winning play.
IN THE SHEDS
Melbourne’s Tim Glasby was an early casualty after failing a concussion test.
James Tedesco suffered a similar fate after copping a shoulder as he fell to the ground after making an error in the 50th minute. When he was out of play it was ironically the tackler, Suliasi Vunivalu who scored to give Melbourne the lead 14-12.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona might be in trouble from the Match Review Committee after an attempted trip on Mitchell Moses in the 48th minute.
FINAL SCORE
Melbourne Storm 19
Tries:ย Suliasi Vunivalu 2, Cooper Cronk, Marika Koroibete
Goals: Cameron Smith 1
Field Goals: Cooper Cronk
Wests Tigers 18
Tries: Josh Addo-Carr, Luke Brooks, Kevin Naiqama
Goals: Jordan Rankin 3
