Is staying down an acceptable form of gamesmanship, or a blight on the NRL?
It’s the question yet again being asked by NRL fans after a controversial second-half penalty helped Melbourne Storm defeat the North Queensland Cowboys, 26-20, in Round 18.
With 20 minutes left and scores locked 18-18, stand-in Melbourne hooker Bronson Garlick was slow to his feet following a tackle by Cowboys forward Coen Hess and then theatrically grabbed at his neck, eventually forcing referee Liam Kennedy to blow time off.
Subsequent bunker replays suggested there had been minor high contact from Hess and a potentially game-altering penalty was awarded to the undermanned Storm.
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Nick Meaney slotted the kick to give Melbourne a two-point lead, before the Storm went further ahead with a try three minutes later.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten made no comment post-game, but the jeers of fans in Townsville made it clear they were far from impressed with Garlick’s actions at the time, as did his Cowboys opponents.
Twelve months ago former Storm great Cameron Smith spoke about the issue of milking as players increasingly seek to gain an edge by whatever means necessary.
“It’s not great and it’s such a poor look for our game,” Smith told SEN radio.
“Over the last couple of years, players know the bunker will take a quick look.
“Players are looking for any advantage they can get so if they feel there is contact, they will absolutely stay down.”
Coen Hess was placed on report for the Round 18 tackle, however the NRL judiciary has since taken no further action.