Parramatta Eels skipper Clint Gutherson copped an earful from referee Peter Gough after protesting Blake Wilson’s matchwinning try for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Wilson crossed over for his second try of the contest in the 75th minute when he received a pass from Connor Tracey and burst past a diving and desperate Sean Russell down the right edge.
Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
‘That’s a first!’ Genius Eels challenge | 00:49
Jubilant celebrations from the Bulldogs followed knowing they had likely secured a thrilling come-from-behind victory, but Eels players were incensed.
They protested five-eighth Dylan Brown got taken out by Stephen Crichton and Toby Sexton, preventing him from getting back in defence and potentially stopping either Tracey or Wilson.
However, the bunker confirmed there was no obstruction and subsequently confirmed the try as Matt Burton made no mistake with the conversion to put the Bulldogs 22-18 in front.
Gutherson remained incensed with the decision and continued to air his frustrations with Gough all the way up until the kick-off after the try.
“Oh my god, that’s horrible, that is horrible,” Gutherson said.
But Gough had heard enough from the Eels skipper and gave him a brutal dressing down.
“Regardless of your opinion as captain, do not speak to me like that when you ask me the answer,” Gough was heard saying on the ref mic.
“That is not acceptable. You need to be better as a captain.”
MORE COVERAGE
PAUL CRAWLEY: Why Tigers may face brutal Benji call; Blues’ ‘laughable’ Latrell stance
Talking Pts: ‘Undeniable’ truth behind Dogs boost as Ciraldo masterstroke pays off
‘Can’t wait to get out’: Young gun’s shock call as Tigers boss called out over double standards
Barrett aware Eels should have won | 04:48
Immediately after the contest, Eels halfback Mitchell Moses also sought out answers from Gough but their conversation was not picked up.
Gutherson was also not done with Gough and was seen in an intense conversation with the referee, with the full dialogue below.
Peter Gough: “Clint, the way it looked to me, they’re both running this way. He’s potentially a support player when contact is made.”
Clint Gutherson: “But he’s a lead. He led inside our two man. That’s the call, that’s the play.”
PG: “I can only give you what I can give you.”
CG: “I understand, but they’re going to come out tomorrow and say that’s the wrong call and it cost us the game. That play cost us the game.”
PG: “I understand that’s a game-winning try. I understand that.”
CG: “But every other obstruction like that where a lead is inside our two man and the half gets taken out, it’s a penalty. Every day of the week. It happened two times tonight.”
PG: “They score out on the edge, come on, Clint.”
CG: “But Dylan gets back and makes the tackle, that’s the play. It’s a bad call, man, it is. You know it is.”
PG: “That might be the case, Clint, but that’s the decision, mate. Come on.”