Phil Gould and Paul Gallen are blasted by footy fans for claiming images showing the cause of the Grand Final’s most scandalous moment were ‘DOCTORED’
Channel Nine commentators Phil Gould and Paul Gallen have been criticized by fans online for their comments on Jack Howarth’s controversial delayed try in Sunday’s NRL Grand Final.
Gould’s former club, Penrith, wrote their names into NRL history when they claimed their fourth consecutive premiership, beating Melbourne Storm 14-6.
But a controversial moment overshadowed the match after many thought Storm center Jack Howarth had scored just after half-time.
The try would have put Melbourne back level with the Panthers at 10-10 after Liam Martin touched down just before half-time to give Ivan Cleary’s side the lead.
Howarth had bundled over the Penrith line but was buried beneath several bodies that had shielded a clear view of whether he had grounded the ball. Referee Ashley Klein initially called ‘no try’ and referred the verdict to bunker official Grant Atkins, who upheld the verdict.
Phil Gould (left) claimed photos showing Jack Howarth’s disallowed try during the NRL Grand Final were ‘doctored’
Paul Gallen also controversially claimed the images had been ‘photoshopped’
Many fans watching Channel Nine’s broadcast of the match were outraged by the decision, arguing that Nine’s footage had shown the 21-year-old Storm center appearing to ground the ball.
A series of social media users had posted images and clips claiming the footage showed the try being scored, with some lashing out at the officiating team.
One wrote: ‘Lol. Didn’t the bunker see the ball hit the ground?’
Another added: ‘Storm ripped off 100 per cent in one go.’
However, it appears the referees were right with their decision, with journalists revealing after the match that the video referees had access to a separate camera angle that was not shown to the public during the live broadcast.
The new footage showed that a Penrith player had gotten his arm under the ball and prevented the try.
During Channel Nine’s post-match analysis, former New South Wales Origin star Gallen had argued Howarth had not put the ball on the ground.
“Well, from what I saw here, I didn’t see it hit the ground, no,” he told the broadcaster.
‘I thought she [officials] made the right decision. I know there are things floating around on social media right now that make it pretty clear that the ball is probably hitting the ground.
“What I saw on social media and what I saw there are not the same. I didn’t see the ball hit the ground.’
Melbourne star Jack Howarth got a try in the NRL Grand Final on Sunday afternoon
Fans lashed out at the decision and condemned the video referee for ruling Howarth was kept on the line
A vision from Channel Nine’s live feed initially appeared to show Howarth had grounded the ball, but the video referee then called it held
Fans lashed out at the referees during the match after seeing footage of the incident
The NRL then released a vision showing the Panthers had held the ball up
Ex-Storm hooker Cameron Smith pressed the former Sharks star further, asking: “A bit of photoshopping, you think, Gal?”
‘I think so. I mean, honestly, did you see the ball hit the ground then?’ Gallen replied.
“I don’t think it hit the ground. What I saw on social media wasn’t that,” he doubled down after being further pressured by presenter James Bracey.
“So I don’t know how they did it, but I don’t think I saw it fall to the ground.”
Gould, affectionately known as ‘Gus’, was sacked from commentary for the match, with Andrew Johns, Billy Slater and Mat Thompson stepping into the hot seat.
He had called the NRL State Championship earlier in the day but returned to give his verdict on the controversial moment, agreeing with the former Sharks star.
“I think if the referee had said ‘try’ they wouldn’t have overruled that,” the former Panthers player and coach told Channel Nine.
‘He [Klein] couldn’t have seen it from his vantage point, and then the Bunker really doesn’t have clear vision to overrule it, or clear enough vision to overrule it.
Gould continued: ‘There are a lot of doctored pictures on social media now trying to say that it did indeed hit the ground, but I think we should leave it to the referee.’
But Gould and Gallen both sparked controversy again in their post-match analysis after claiming footage appearing online had been altered.
Gould’s comments did not go down well with fans online, as supporters lashed out at the NRL commentator.
‘Manipulated images?’ One wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “You are a complete disgrace @PhilGould15
“How you collect a paycheck for your dribble is simply mind-blowing.”
‘Manipulated images? What an absolute [clown]’, someone wrote on X, posting a ‘clown’ emoji.
‘Paul Gallen is shouting out the images circulating on social media [were] fake news. I may have run out of my NRL 2024 bingo card already,” said one.
Another added: ‘Phil Gould is just Phil Gould. Embarrassing.’
Fans took to X to question the experts’ opinions, with one calling Gould ‘a disgrace’
News Corps’ Tim Michell had Channel Nine’s live footage of the incident published on social media on Sunday and was left scratching his head, writing: ‘How can you claim this isn’t an attempt?’
One fan replied: ‘What’s worse now is that guys like Gould and Gallen are justifying it – the level of commentary and bias is sickening.’