Commentator Andrew Moore has led the disbelief over a bizarre Penrith Panthers moment with frustrated NRL fans calling for Bunker intervention when ruling forward passes. This comes despite Billy Slater warning fans around more technology intervention in the game after an incident last year.
The Warriors were way too strong for a battered Penrith Panthers side on Friday night winning 28-12 in front of a boisterous home crowd. The loss of Isaah Yeo took its toll on the Panthers with Nathan Cleary unable to muster a comeback after Luke Metcalf made his mark on the game.
NRL fans calling for Bunker intervention when it comes to forward passes after a Panthers moment, despite Billy Slater (pictured right) warning fans in 2025 around further technology intervention. (Images: Fox Sports/Getty Images)
However, the officials missing what appeared to be a blatant forward pass has left the NRL world stunned. Lindsay Smith received the ball against the Warriors after a contest in the air and threw a pass towards a teammate retreating back towards the Panthers goal-line.
The ball appeared to travel forward to a player retreating and in front of Smith. The Panthers then but in another kick, which the Warriors dropped to give the away side possession.
Although ABC Sport commentator Moore was left in utter disbelief the referees let the game play on. “If that was 1984 that would be a penalty,” Moore said.
Reporter and fellow commentator Michael Carayannis doubled down. “Even now that should be a penalty,” Carayannis said. He added: “It didn’t only go forward, he was standing three metres in front of him,” Carayannis added. Moore said: “That could be the worst non-ruling of a forward pass I’ve ever seen.”
According to the ARL rules: “If the Referee is of the opinion that a player in giving a forward pass must have been well aware that the catcher was in front of him then the referee is justified in ruling that the ball has been deliberately thrown forward.”
Moore and Carayannis echoed calls from fans around the officiating and forward passes. Many fans have argued the Bunker should be able to make a call on forward passes with this incident occurring along the 10m line. Others feel deliberate forward passes should be penalised, which is within the rules. Fans suggested Bunker technology needs to be used for forward passes with some fans becoming increasingly frustrated with missed calls.
Billy Slater warns against further Bunker intervention
While there has been a number of passes that appeared to go missed in recent weeks, NRL legend Slater isn’t convinced more intervention from the Bunker is the way to go. Last year in Round 5, there was uproar when the Rabbitohs scored off what could have been a Latrell Mitchell forward pass.
Despite calls then for the Bunker to rule on forward passes, Slater wasn’t so sure it was for the best of the game. “I’m gonna say no, I don’t think we need that,” Slater said on Channel Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast last year.
“Unless we’ve got a camera that is gonna go along the sideline and follow the exact line of the football, I don’t think we can rule on it.” Slater felt there would just as much controversy if the Bunker got involved. “I think there would be more controversy if we do sit there and analyse it on television and go on replays that aren’t directly in line with the pass,” he added.
Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater(pictured) wasn’t convinced last year the Bunker should intervene on forward passes. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)