Only a penalty goal separated the Panthers and Roosters with just eight minutes to play, when Luke Keary scooted across the field, linking up with Latrell Mitchell, who found space out wide. Then came that pass.
And we know the rest.
A week earlier, the NRL had come under scrutiny for an even worse decision, when Jordan Kahu crossed to level things up at Suncorp Stadium against the Cowboys, off what was described by many outraged social media users as a “Tom Brady special” from James Roberts.
Yet, this time, the Panthers were not good enough to make up for referee’s mistake and fell 14-12.
Only hours after the game, NRL Referees’ boss, Tony Archer, came out and admitted they had made a mistake. The pass was forward.
But how was Archer able to conclusively rule this? Surely the Bunker’s technology played some part in accurately proving it? So, should the Bunker rule on forward passes?
If this $2 million command system has the benefit of multiple camera angles and zoom technology, why can’t it see forward passes, especially those as clear-cut as the one on Saturday night?
And this is where the debate gets interesting: how can you decide which forward passes are clear cut and which are not? It seems like the fuss just isn’t worth it.
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The main rebuttal against such a change is the difficulty of ruling forward passes – you know, the ones that are not as obvious, yet can still have a large bearing on the final result.
Determining whether a pass is forward is a complicated process. It doesn’t simply involve comparing where the player threw the ball with where it landed, many variables need to be considered, including speed, the spin of the ball, momentum and camera angles.
Momentum is particularly important. If a player is running forwards, then, obviously the ball is also carrying that forward momentum. Camera angles can also be very deceptive, and trying to get your head around all of this can get confusing, hence how long it takes the Bunker to make the correct call. The Bunker was introduced to save time, not add to it!
So, even as a Penrith tragic, the system as is has to stay: the Bunker cannot rule on forward passes.
But I am intrigued to find out what Roarers think. Should the Bunker rule on forward passes?
peter
Guest
yes why not they rule on every thing else
Steven
Guest
Why cant the bunker over rule any onfield decisions. I went to manly sea eagles vs broncos double header last year and was outraged. Soo 2018 Maroons threw what i deemed to be forward passes galore Im a Maroons supporter but come on the last NSW try went forward by a mile. The refs say they are going to crack down on them they have a little but 2 million dollars and it cant overturn those desicions fuck me dead.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yep certainly do not want to be wasting even more time, hence, the technology would have to be very accurate and make rulings on forward passes easy because otherwise it will not work.
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
I believe there is room in the game to implement new technologies akin to those in NFL (i.e. digital on field markers) to detect forward passes, so long as the referees don't become to over-reliant on the technology as they have with other decisions made by video referees. So many times the game is held up so the man in the bunker can make a decision which could easily have been made on-field.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yep haha spot on.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Great interpretation. First we just rewrite the laws of physics, then the NRL rule book.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yep I remember that one, caused A LOT of debate. Dumb move from the Bunker that one.
E-Meter
Guest
The bunker actually ruled on a forward pass during the Parra-Canterbury clash last year. Pass from Kasiano was ruled to have been forward.
BMcKlaren24
Guest
Could we try looking at it a different way though. I say, let them rule on forward passes if we can just elimate the *variables*. The "out of the hands backwards and floated forward" is not a necessary interpretation, as well as the momentum. Just rule on it in a similar matter to a Knock On (If you caught it in front of where it was passed then that is forward). Players will learn the new interpretation and adjust the game to suit. Either it is forward or not, and readily available technology like the laser line would instantly dismiss this issue. The NRL makes so many rules so much more complicated by having so many grey areas.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Haha I tend to agree Craig.
Craig
Guest
Archer used old fashioned technology of opening his eyes.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
That's why I am genuinely intrigued to see if Archer made the call using such technology and how long this took.
2sheds
Guest
If the technology is there (even it's just to assist the Bunker to make the right call - or have a better chance of making the right call), THEN USE IT! Chips in the ball, laser lines, crap, I don't know, I'm not a tech head, but one would think in this day and age we could use Tech to get SOME of the current howlers right. And as for the extra time it may take, just like with cricket, I'd much rather take some more time (not too much more!) if it means getting more wrong calls right! You know it makes sense!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yep I am certainly interested to see how Archer concluded it and what technology, if any they have to rule it. But it does come down to the fact that howlers if they are howlers really should be easily noticed by the refs.
The Barry
Roar Guru
why does this seem so familiar?
jewboy
Guest
With all due respect to simply say to ignore the "howler"forward pass when a try is scored because it goes round and balances out is just a little too easy.The problem dosen't go away....it still needs fixing or some attempt to make things better..so why not let the bunker help make the right decision. The onfield referees and linesman only have a split second ....without any help...to make the right call so why would it be so wrong for the bunker to make a decision using the help from replays and it's technology.As previously stated if Tony Archer can say it was definately a forward pass that led to a try then why can't the bunker? Surley the NRL has a duty to the clubs,supporters and fans to try and eliminate the"howler"from our great game.. which in turn would help keep my blood pressure under control
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
love the idea haha but cant prove that. they penalise deliberate forward passes already though.
Chook
Guest
For some players like Keary, Thurston Cronk Isaac Luke to name but a few who throw a couple of forward passes per game it should be called a professional foul and treated as such
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yep blatant ones like the Broncos try somehow need to be avoided. You would think refs would have the ability and guts to rule those.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Haha. Can't tell if this is sarcasm Patchman.