No one knew what should happen at the end of extra time in Parramatta Eels’ win over North Queensland Cowboys. Except the referee
These were chaotic scenes that stunned players and pundits alike, but referee Liam Kennedy was right to award Parramatta a penalty goal at the end of their thrilling golden point win over North Queensland.
Eels centre-half Mitchell Moses proved the difference when he struck in stoppage time in Townsville. Give the Eels a 33-30 win. However, given that Musa was fouled during his shot, there was confusion in the moments after his shot passed the post.
As the ball left Musa’s boot, Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater touched his leg and a penalty was awarded. Had the field goal been missed, the Eels would have been given an easy shot on goal to secure victory.
However, most players and commentators felt that this was a moot point given that the field goal was successful and the game should have immediately finished 31–30 in Parramatta’s favour. Some of the confusion may have arisen from the fact that if the trial decides on the golden spot, it is not converted.
Moses demanded an explanation after Liam Kennedy ruled that a penalty goal should have been awarded from the front; perhaps he was worried that if it bounced off the uprights, the Cowboys could regain the ball and steal the game.
Ultimately, Eels’ fifth-eighth Ronald Volkman converted without incident and the Eels earned an upset victory. However, experts were still unsure whether the final penalty goal should have been scored or not. During his post-game analysis on the Nine Network, Phil Gould, the owner of this byline, even asked for help from artificial intelligence to sort out the issue.
However, the NRL considered Kennedy acted appropriately and to the letter of the law.
“The penalty after the goal was the right call,” said NRL head of football Graham Annesley.
“The team that was fouled has the right to receive additional penalties in case of a foul.
“It is important to note that if the kick is missed or hit the post, the game will be over. The law specifically states that play cannot continue after the kick.”
Indeed, according to the rules regarding the “game of fouling the kicker,” the rulebook says:
“10a) If a player fouls an opponent trying to take down, a penalty kick will be awarded in front of the posts.
- b) If the takedown attempt is successful, a kick must be taken at goal from the penalty kick and play must be restarted from the center of the midfield line, regardless of the result of the kick.
- c) If the takedown attempt is unsuccessful, a penalty kick may be taken in any manner specified in the Rules and play may be restarted depending on the outcome of the game.
That wasn’t the only controversy in Friday night football. Gold Coast coach Josh Hannay felt a try awarded to Roosters center Robert Toia from the dugout when the Titans were ahead early in the contest should have been disallowed for an apparent hit.
“Some officials already came and told us it was the wrong decision,” Hannay said in the post-match press conference.
“I understand it’s hard to always get that decision right live… but when you have the technology we have in the game today, I don’t see how they decided to give this a go.
“You say it doesn’t affect the outcome, but how do we know?”
The NRL has refused to comment on this incident until it completes its review of the tour.
