Sharks penalty try stuns Dragons, exposes NRL rule grey area

Peter Maniaty

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Sharks penalty try stuns Dragons, exposes NRL rule grey area image

The NRL local derby between St. George Illawarra and Cronulla has witnessed a hugely controversial moment following a penalty try to Sharks second rower Teig Wilton in the 15th minute.

Following a perfectly-placed kick from Sharks number six Braydon Trindall, Wilton caught the ball high over the try line but appeared to be held up by Dragons defenders.

Referee Ashley Klein went to the bunker ruling ‘no try’, however on review it was adjudged Wilton had been tackled in the air by Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan who had ‘changed from competing to making a tackle’ in trying to prevent the ball being grounded.

Fair to say the Dragons fans at Kogarah were unimpressed with the decision, as were the stunned Fox Sports commentators.

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“He can’t not do anything there can he?” Kevin Walters said in disbelief.

“They were both jumping for the footy, what are you going to do—just let him get the ball and score?” Steve Roach added.

“That’s ridiculous a try being awarded, that’s terrible.”

Remarkably, the decision comes less than 48 hours after Melbourne Storm winger Xavier Coates was awarded a penalty try in not dissimilar circumstances against the Brisbane Broncos.

With both decisions certain to come under the microscope following the completion of Round 23, it appears a major grey area has been exposed in the current ‘tackle in the air’ rule which was introduced to protect vulnerable players from dangerous play.

In the end, St. George Illawarra went on to upstage the Sharks, 22-14—which is just as well for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan’s hip pocket which otherwise may have been a little lighter after his post-match press conference. 

Peter Maniaty

Peter Maniaty is a contributing Wires Writer at The Sporting News based in Sydney, Australia