Manly coach Trent Barrett has launched a scathing attack on the NRL’s referees after he claimed two decisions cost his side their season during their 22-10 elimination final loss to Penrith.
Barrett was livid after the bunker failed to find evidence Tyrone Peachey had knocked-on in the lead-up to a crucial try when scores were locked at 10-10 with six minutes to play.
After the decision was sent up as a try, the bunker reviewed several angles of the ricochet as the ball bounced off Peachey’s chest, knee and possibly his hand before he chased and grounded it over the line.
The call came after the Sea Eagles were denied a try early in the second half when Dylan Walker was ruled to be offside when he chased a Blake Green grubber to score, after it was originally ruled a try on the field.
And Barrett was furious after fulltime, as he claimed his players were shattered by the decisions.
“To have our season decided by two video referee calls in my opinion that weren’t correct, is extremely tough to take,” Barrett said.
“What I would like is the bunker and (referees boss) Tony Archer and the referees to go into my shed and explain to my players that their season is now finished on the back of those two calls.”
Barrett also laid the blame with the requirement of referees to make an on-field call before sending it to the bunker, where conclusive evidence must be found to overturn the original decision.
“It’s a massive problem with the system – massive,” Barrett said.
“The referee is better off putting his hand in the air saying he has no idea, so let’s have a look at it.
“Rather than influence the decision of the bunker with a no try or try. Clearly, how the hell can you see? It went off a foot, into a leg, into a chest onto a hand. You must have good eyes.
“And it’s crazy. It’s cost us our season. Dead set what am I meant to say to the players? Unbelievable.”
Meanwhile Penrith coach Anthony Griffin admitted his team’s season was “in the lap of the gods” when the decision was sent for review.
“You’re always worried when it goes to the bunker,” he said.
“That’s not any disrespect to anyone. You’re in the lap of the God’s then. Luckily he ruled try so they couldn’t take it off him.”