The worst call in grand final history

Mmmm, the worst call in GF history. 89 GF, won by the Raiders in EXTRA time. Fifteen minutes into the second half referee Bill Harrigan controversially ruled against Balmain lock Bruce McGuire for using OFFSIDE Raider Steve Walters as a shepherd.[4] From the ensuing penalty the Raiders kicked for touch and "Chicka" Ferguson set up the Raiders' first try when he escaped an attempted tackle by Currier, passed to Belcher, who also beat Currier to score. The gap was narrowed to 12-8.

As a Roosters supporter, this last thing on my mind is shame. Toughen up petals! We are back to back Premiers.....

On the trainer, like it or not the referee was quite right with his decision. If you want to blame someone for this, blame the NRL. Fans and the media have been complaining about runners on the field. The referee just followed the laws of the game. On the six again. The referee was wrong. The rules state that once he has made a decision, he can't change it except for foul play. His decision was six again. The Raiders were disadvantaged badly by his change of mind. Would the Raiders have scored? Who knows.

The absolute worst as it directly influenced the result. Anyone who disagrees just doesnt get rugby league.

I don't even know why this is even an issue - let's just say the trainer wasn't there - did you see how Keary ended up in the air dangerously and no mention of it? penalty to the Chickens I say (I don't even support the chooks).

As I said when the storm got theirs “taken” it's a fallacy that you can take away premiership. The value of premiership is experiential, it’s not a physical asset, and no amount of revisionist book keeping removes the experience. Paradoxically the whining now from your ilk just intensifies the experience and makes any ill effects less likely should your seemingly scurrilous accusations prove true. So thank you so much for making this feel even better and insulating from any future ill effects. It is much appreciated!

You don't get to make up your own rules based on which team you support.

Bill I think you need to re-read the article. At no point does he give any credit to the Roosters defence or highlight out the Raiders poor attack and lapses in defence. That was what decided the game, not the referees. I agree that the 6 again call was a bad look, but ultimately the call made was probably the correct one. I also agree that steps should be taken to reduce the time trainers spend on the field. Although the incident in the final has been blown massively out of proportion. The rule needs changing but the refs followed the rules on that call (as they should). If anything the Roosters should of got a penalty for Keary having his legs taken out in mid air.

Last time I checked taking out the kickers legs was a penalty.... at no time in the charge down attempt did the Canberra player try to wrap up Keary. Instead he lower his head and ploughed into Keary taking his legs out. Ref should have blown a penalty and everyone would instead be laughing at how there was a double falcon on the one play. As for being robbed..... explain to me why Cronk was sin binned? or the fact that with 1 player advantage Canberra could not capitalise on this? If Cronk waits a fraction of a second more then Papali is a free for all to tackle. Cronk was trying to get up in his face and missed ever so slightly as seen by the stupid slow mo replay. He then is sent to the bin for what? I have never seen anyone sent to the bin for this unless it is penalty try territory and while it was near the goal line THAT WAS NOT A PENALTY TRY TERRITORY! Again a split second in it and Cronk would have had every right to lay into Papali. What is worse is the fact that Canberra had 10 mins to do something and they couldn't so instead of laying blame on the refs, try laying blame on the rules firstly then look at your team for being inadequate in finding a weakness in the opposition to lay points on. All this coming from a dogs supporter.... Too many one eyed fans around

The Roosters had decisions go their way in the lead in to their two tries but the tries weren’t assisted by the referees. There is a subtle but important difference. The first try happened two full sets after the trainer incident. The main assistance the Roosters got was from the shambolic Raiders goal line defence. The second try happened 90 metres downfield. Again the Raiders poor defence was the main contributing factor.

Adam, The Jets had half a dozen calls go against them but still manage to overcome all that on Sunday and win. Lets face it,as much as I'd like the Crooks to lose ,the Raiders were not good enough -they had plenty of chances ,but couldn't deliver. A lot of apologist trying to find excuses for an underachieving GF

Very biased article in my opinion. Give credit where it’s due- penalty count favoured Canberra, Cronk should never have been sin binned and the Raiders has multiple opportunities to capitalise. Good teams always find a way to win, convincing or non convincing.

I'm not sure I agree with that Soliola has the duty of care not to hit Keary in the legs. It has been a penalty all year in my eyes.

You maybe a rookie but I suggest you learn the game before saying such stupid comments. Firstly the charge down should have been a penalty to the roosters for dangerous contact Secondly the 6 again didn't affect the raiders. They still turned the ball over in a stoppage in play as it was a hand over and the roosters went 90 mtrs over 4 tackles to score. How wighton got mom over hargraves is the worst call in history. 83mtrs vs 150 mtrs for hargraves 10 tackles with 3 misses vs 41 tackles with 2 misses 5/8 v FR

It was probably deemed an accident, as Soliola was hit senseless in the head by the ball kicked by Keary at point blank range ? The ball probably ends up near the Roosters goal line if not for the trainer’s melon getting in the way.

I’d re-read it if I were you, it doesn’t say that at all. Nobody knows what would have happened without that trainer or the bad “6 more” call. He’s simply highlighting the need for something to be done about the trainers on the field, which is entirely reasonable. Similarly, how can you disagree with the point about the ref changing his mind after the call with “6 more” it’s never happened before, it’s unprecedented. It didn’t by itself rob the Raiders, but it did lead (however indirectly) to a change in momentum. Nobody is denying the Raiders has their chances to win despite these incidents, that’s on them (e.g. Tarpine’s inexcusable slack defence that led to the try) but objectively cannot deny the potential impact the other incidents had on the game. Well that’s my view. Others of course disagree, but his article isn’t poor it’s just a point of view, think it’s crap - write your own maybe? Slagging off others is a little poor. Bill

1963. Darcy Lawler who to this day is alleged to have had money on the Dragons, canes West’s in the penalties, and allows a tackled Johnny King to get up and run again to score the match wining try.

It's a very poor article that suggests the Roosters were handed the game and gave no credit to them whatsoever. Anyone who can think objectively instead of subjectively (which you and many others clearly aren't capable of) will tell you that whilst the call wasn't a great one, it wasn't what cost the Raiders the game. The Raiders poor attack and lapses in defence cost them the premiership, not the referees.

Watching my side defend their asses off for 80 minutes to win another premiership was a fantastic feeling and certainly won't be ruined by you and your sour grapes.

I see after keeping quiet most of Sunday, probably not sure if they should celebrate that disgraceful win, tainted for sure. For some reason now they’re emboldened to speak up and sledge your article for shaming the appalling refereeing. I don’t get it, but that’s one-eyed support in sport for you. Let’s face it, anyone supporting a team like the Roosters isn’t likely to be overly enriched with class. Everyone knows, including said supporters of the club, that the Roosters have to be cheating the cap, unless the players are playing for charity there. It’s only a matter of time before that truth comes out. The $ won’t ultimately lie. Good article thanks for sharing your view, I’m in full agreement.