There were a number of controversial calls in the game between the Wests Tigers and the Eels and it has been revealed why Mitchell Moses didn’t challenge one pivotal moment. The Wests Tigers’ win over the Eels was as controversial as NRL games come with Dylan Walker giving away a penalty for being offside as Jock Madden went for the match-winning field goal.
There was also another controversial moment that had Moses in disbelief. Williams made a break down the right touch line, before being dragged down agonisingly short. Although it was unclear if there was a hand on Williams on the ground with Tigers bodies lying everywhere.
Mitchell Moses (pictured right) revealed why he didn’t challenge this pivotal call on Jack Williams (pictured left). (Images: Fox Sports/Getty Images)
Williams got up, but the Tigers ripped it out of his hands thinking he was going for a try. Moses was confused and spoke to the referee about the chaos. Fans were also up-in-arms about the situation with many feeling Williams was playing the ball.
This could have been a professional foul on a Tigers player from stopping Williams. Others felt Williams wasn’t tackled and the Tigers defenders had every right to make a second play at the Eels forward.
However, the ruling went the Tigers way with Eels fans fuming. Moses then wanted to challenge the decision because it was a stop in play. The Eels captain felt his teammate was playing the ball and it was a penalty against the Tigers.
Referee Peter Gough then explained to Moses why he shouldn’t challenge. Gough revealed he hadn’t actually called ‘held’ and the tackle was not complete. This meant in theory Williams could have jumped back over the line and scored.
Mitchell Moses (pictured) had a number of interactions with referee Peter Gough.
(Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)Mitchell Moses on referee decision
Speaking after the game, Moses agreed he didn’t challenge because the referee claimed he never yelled held. Although, the Eels halfback suggested it could also have been deemed a double movement if he went for the try.
“Well, he felt like he was held and had about four players on him,” Moses said about Williams. “So he has tried to get up and play the ball. And blokes came flying in. So I asked to challenge it.”
Moses added: “He said he hadn’t called held yet. So there was no point in challenging it because I was never going to win it. I don’t know….he pretty much told me not to challenge it.”
Coach Jason Ryles then interjected: “But if he scored, it would have been a double movement.” And Moses was baffled. “That’s what I am saying, if he had a crack…I don’t know,” he said. But both agreed that wasn’t the reason why the team lost with their Eels’ performance not good enough.
At the time of the play, Cooper Cronk felt Williams was going to attempt and score again if given the opportunity. “I thought Gough was right, it looked like Williams was trying to promote the ball to score,” he said on Fox Sports commentary. Although many fans still didn’t accept the ruling. Many felt Williams was in a tough situation where whatever decision he made was going to impact his side.