Footy fans have lashed out at officials during the NRL Grand Final, claiming the referees should ‘go to Specsavers’ after disallowing a Melbourne Storm try in the second half.
With Penrith taking a 10-6 lead in the second half, Jack Howarth looked to force his way over the try line.
The on-field referee, Ashley Klein, could not definitively confirm whether the ball was on the ground, instead referring to the bunker assessment system.
But after reviewing the footage, the video referee confirmed the Storm center had not put the ball on the ground, much to the dismay of many fans online who thought it was a try.
“Bunker needs to go to @SpecsaversAU. That was an attempt #NRLGF,” someone wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another added: ‘Lol didn’t the bunker see the ball hit the ground.’
“@NRL is making sure NSW bias is as strong as ever,” one person claimed.
“Storm got ripped off 100 percent in one go,” one person wrote.
Another said: ‘NRL Grand Final. Bulls*** bunker.”
Melbourne had opened the scoring in a fiercely contested game.
Captain Harry Grant would drive through the Panthers defense to draw first blood, with Nick Meaney kicking the conversion.
Fans have lashed out at officials after Jack Howarth had a try disallowed during the NRL Grand Final
The defending Premiers hit back as Sunia Turuva found himself in the corner and narrowly avoided the touchline with a brilliant effort.
Penrith would take the lead just before half-time, with Nathan Cleary causing Liam Martin to beat several defenders and crash.
After Howarth’s effort was ruled held up, Penrith delivered a vicious blow to Melbourne, crashing out Paul Alamoti to extend their lead to 14-6.