St George Illawarra’s demand for two NRL competition points has been flatly refused by head of football Todd Greenberg.
The Dragons are still seething following Melbourne winger Young Tonumaipea’s try after the fulltime siren sealed a dramatic come-from-behind 28-24 victory for the Storm at AAMI Park on Monday.
NRL referees chief Tony Archer subsequently admitted the on-field officials made an error in not blowing fulltime after the play-the-ball from Tonumaipea in the build-up to the try occurred 0.6 seconds after the siren was sounded.
Dragons veteran chief executive Peter Doust then took the step of calling for both his club and Melbourne to be awarded two points from the game and hinted at legal action.
But Greenberg rejected the request on Wednesday and said mistakes were simply part of the game.
“This is rugby league and we will not get everything right. We’re doing our best but it’s not easy,” Greenberg said.
“Decision of referees and match officials are in real time.
“Them asking for two points is not going to happen. It was never considered.”
In addition to the gut-wrenching defeat, that stretched their losing streak in Melbourne to 15 years, the Dragons were unhappy they had to defend for the last 30 seconds with 12 men after back-rower Joel Thompson was withdrawn under the new concussion rules.
Coach Steve Price and veteran winger Jason Nightingale both said this week their team had been penalised for adhering to the rules, prompting calls for the introduction of an 18th man on the bench.
Greenberg praised the joint-venture for taking the concussion law seriously but said there were no plans for any changes to the interchange numbers.
“I was really pleased with a number of clubs over the weekend, particularly the Dragons,” he said.
“They were making sure player safety was put first and foremost and made sure they were taken off when there was head knocks.
“That is the exact application and how the policy is.
“How that applies to clubs and how they use their interchange is up to them.”
Nightingale has urged his teammates to put the injustice of Melbourne’s try behind them and get their NRL season back on track.
Following a strong start to the campaign that yielded three successive wins, the Dragons are 3-3.
Price’s side will host the Warriors on Saturday and Nightingale said dwelling on what could have been could work against them at Kogarah Oval.
“The evidence is there and it was pretty disappointing, but that’s rugby league,” Nightingale said.
“We really have to focus on the good things we did in the game, which were quite a lot. If we keep thinking about it, then it’s not going to help.
“The short turnaround is the best thing after a gut-wrenching loss. You don’t really have time to think about it as you have to move on and prepare for the next game.”
Fed up.
Guest
Just had a look at 99grandfinal on u tube .pass from Geyer to Martin was definitely forward from the hands. Can we have the 99 grand final trophy back as we'll please.
Bluebag
Guest
Are St George going to give back the 1963 premiership to show they don't accept bad calls?
Ken
Guest
There was no held call, it was a completed tackle.
Scrubbit
Guest
I have to correct myself as well. It just came to my attention that was from 2013 rule book not 2014
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
we're just two old fashioned so and so's in a world of 'i want everything my way and I want it now' :) agree with the vid ref and two views of it only. The problem will be that Ch9 will show the mistake ad nauseum until the losing ream asks for their points back!
Scrubbit
Guest
The defensive line isn't allowed to move up until the player has heeled the ball in the NRL (or at least that's what I was taught playing the game) so I'd say that's when the ball is played. Technically when a player fumbles the ball when attempting to play it, it isn't a knock on, it's a loss of possession. I've seen plenty of players loos it backwards/accidentally kicked it forwards while attempting to play it quickly and the refs are consistent about this rule (unless god forbid any defenders limbs are anywhere near the ball)
Steve from down south
Guest
Scrubbit, when is the balled played? Is it when he gets up from the tackle or when he "heals" the ball? If it's when they "heal"the ball, why is it when a player fumbles the ball on his way up from a tackle why is it classed as knock on when the ball is dead? That is a serious question without being a smartarse
Scrubbit
Guest
SECTION 7 TIMEKEEPING 3. If time expires in either half when the ball is out of play or a player in possession has been tackled and the ball has not been played the Referee shall immediately blow his whistle to terminate play. If the ball is in play when time expires, the Referee shall terminate play when next the ball goes out of play or a player in possession is tackled but time shall be extended to allow a penalty kick or a kick at goal to be taken in which case the half is terminated when next the ball goes out of play or a tackle is effected, unless a further penalty is awarded in which case time is again extended for the kick to be taken. Not to be a stickler but this is copy past from the official NRL rule book for 2014
Steve from down south
Guest
The Rules from the Rugby League Law Manual under Section 7 - Clause 3 state that: "The Referee cannot stop play if the player has been called HELD-TACKLE before the Siren has sounded". The law further states: "The Tackle must be played out in its entirety and the Referee must and will have full responsibilty to end the game once the ball is out of play" WOW That article puts to bed the argument that the Melbourne Player "heeled the ball" a split second after the final Siren sounded, the law as written above makes this irrelevant. So its not about the timing of when the Siren sounded anymore BUT the timing of when the Referee called the Melbourne player HELD and to PLAY ON. The Siren sounded as the player heeled the ball back which unfortunately for St George came too late as the Referee had called Held - Play On just 3-4 seconds before the Siren. The Referee was 100% correct in allowing the tackle play to be fully played out in its entirety as the "ball was in play from the time he called HELD-PLAY ON" The issue is now clear for everyone to see! So here's another clear way to look at it Q: Had the Siren sounded when the Referee called HELD-PLAY ON? ANS: NO Q: When did the Siren sound ANS: 3-4 Seconds after the Referee called TACKLED - PLAY ON So as we all know the Tackle was played out to the final whistle of the Referee and correctly not to the Siren.
Scrubbit
Guest
No the nrl reviewed it and like the VR said there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on field decision not that Dugan was onside. . If the BOD rule was still in place I'd give it though, and I'd agree after looking at replays it's a touch too close to call at the given angles.
Charles NSW
Guest
The Dragons have a right to complain as all clubs do! However it should be done through the right channels with thought as how the game can be improved and not on whinging The Dragons need to work on their game and show fans they can do even better then what they have produced so far. They are improving, taking on the Storm is not an easy task at the best of times!
Scrubbit
Guest
Well since play isn't actually being restarted there's no argument there. If a penalty is awarded then the team gets a penalty same as what would happen anytime after the siren. If the tackle has been completed then there's one more play no matter what so therefore the game has not officially finished just because the siren has rang. This makes it far easier in the ref who I'd say would have a much better go telling if a tackle had been completed rather than the half second or so he has to distinguish a foot touching a ball at distances of up to 10-20 metres away. While I agree the rule isn't really a problem this like I said just makes everything a bit easier on the officials.
Scrubbit
Guest
Don't get me wrong i wouldn't complain against it but I just think the circumstances are too different to use the afl as an example here.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Scrubbit, that doesn't make sense. What's the thinking behind allowing the game to restart AFTER the game has officially finished? WHat happens if there is a penalty during this subsequent play - does that finish the game or does it continue on with that? Nothing wrong with the rule as it is - the NRL has already acknowledged the refs made an error. The issue is whether the sensible thing is done and the result reversed.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Might I ad, the siren is a good hundred metres from where the ref was, so .6 seconds then becomes a .3 of second difference to those on the field. .3 of a second is the blink of an eye, people are being to harsh on the refs in my opinion.
Punter
Guest
Exactly as a Dragons fan, would love to get the 2 pts, but this mistake was on the field by the officials, errors are made on the field by players & those officiating it every day in every sport & this is what makes sport so entertaining, we can argue the fact late into the night over many beers. Call me old fashion as well but video ref should only be used to clear the obvious, if you can't see it after 2 reviews, it should be refs/umps call, but that is my opinion.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Dugan wasn't offside. The NRL reviewed that and backed the ref's decision.
Scrubbit
Guest
There is nothing more offensive than being called a storm supporter. Lol. I thought dugans front foot was well in front however given the angle I guess it is extremely hard to tell for sure.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
What I meant was the error was in the timing of the ending of the game. In practical terms it doesn't matter whether it was the timekeeper or the referee/umpire. The fact is that in both instances the game was allowed to go on longer than it should have and a score was registered in that time. The NRL has acknowledged the error - it should now take the logical and sensible next step and reverse the result. The AFL did it - why can't the NRL?
planko
Guest
Sorry if I offended you but I was exagerating for effect. Dugan's feet looked like it was inline with the ball. Looked at the replay. All the top teams play far to many FLAT balls for my liking.