Despite being without their Origin stars, the Melbourne Storm and Dolphins have played out a 30-24 thriller at Suncorp Stadium.
But fans and commentators have once again been scratching their heads after a series of obstruction calls where players were accused of diving.
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With 33 minutes left in the match, the Storm led 22-18 but the Dolphins were putting pressure on the Melbourne line.
On the last tackle, just 5m out from the line, the Dolphins went towards the post, with Isaiya Katoa forcing a knock on from Ryan Papenhuyzen, in a move that should have continued mounting pressure.
But the Storm called for a captain’s challenge, arguing that Dolphins lock Max Plath had obstructed Storm hooker Bronson Garlick.
“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that call,” Warren Smith said on Fox League.
The replay appeared to show Plath running on the outside shoulder of Garlick but even the most one-eyed fan would struggle to argue the hooker didn’t chase the contact before falling to the ground.
Greg Alexander could be heard saying “no” in the commentary booth, as Bunker official Grant Atkins said: “Max Plath runs the outside shoulder as a lead runner. Interferes with the defensive line causing an obstruction. The challenge by Melbourne is successful.”
“Oh wow,” Smith said. “What a challenge.”
Alexander added: “That is the best dive I’ve seen. That is the best one.”
Smith continued: “We have seen some good challenges in recent weeks — that’s up there with any of them. The obstruction play that no one was thinking about.”
Watch in the video player above.
On Channel 9, Cameron Smith wasn’t having it though.
“Textbook, yes, but I’m sure Garlick, if he just held his ground, he stays on his feet there. He barely brushes his arm.
“It’s starting to creep into our game a little bit this stuff. It’s not good.”
Smith said that calls such as that would stay in the game because of the way they’re officiated.
“You know what, the players continue doing it because they get rewarded with decisions like that through the Bunker and the officials,” Smith added.
One fan posted: “Garlick initiated contact and dropped like a sack of potatoes. FMD the bunker is out of touch.
“The Phins should have taken a leaf out of Garlick’s book. Brush a lead runner, go to ground, get the penalty.”
Another called it a “clear defensive decision.”
But fans blew up late in the match as well when Sua Faalogo looked to have raced away for a length of the field try, only to be penalised after he ran behind Jahrome Hughes.
Although he looked to be away, Jesse Bromwich ran into the back of Hughes, who had stopped in front of him, falling to the ground.
“It’s front rowers taking dives,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.
Fans were spewing however.
“They somehow managed to come up with an even worse obstruction call than the Bronson Garlic call. That’s hilarious,” one fan posted.
“That is seriously the worst obstruction call I have seen …” another commented.
A third said: “I’ve never seen the obstruction rule abused as much as it has been tonight. Players taking clear dives to win penalties. It’s embarrassing.”
The drama took some of the sheen off what was a brilliant, high-scoring clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Despite being without their Origin stars, both sides showed exactly why they are top four teams so far in 2024 in a thrilling contest.
With Harry Grant on Origin duties, stand-in captain Hughes combined extremely well with his right side attack as he finished with a try, assist, 93 run metres, five tackle breaks, 26 tackles and 459 kick metres.
Star Melbourne winger Will Warbrick found himself involved in three out Melbourne’s four try scoring opportunities while Englishmen Herbie Farnworth struggled on the left wing following a Dolphins backline reshuffle.
With Edward Franklin, Newswire