Broncos fans had cries of “bullshit, bullshit, bullshit” reverberating throughout Suncorp Stadium on Friday night when the Bunker deemed Panthers centre Thomas Jenkins had knocked the ball back.
It appeared for a fleeting moment early in the second half of the opening-round clash that Brisbane, trailing 18-0, had been gifted a golden opportunity to peg back a try.
Referee Adam Gee ruled Jenkins had taken a loose carry barrelling out of yardage and the Broncos — they ultimately lost the game 26-0 — began to shape up for an attacking raid on the Panthers’ line.
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But the Panthers challenged Gee’s decision and, to the astonishment of the tens of thousands of Broncos fans in the stands and Nine commentators Cameron Smith and Phil Gould, Bunker official Ashley Klein ruled Jenkins had taken a loose carry but had lost it back.
Thomas Jenkins carrying the ball out of yardage. Nine
The Broncos fans in the stands were already filthy, having watched on as the reigning NRL premiers fumbled their way through their first game of the season with one blunder after another.
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Of course, this night’s performance followed the Broncos’ deplorable showing against Hull KR in the World Club Challenge last month, which resulted in a 30-24 defeat. The full-time scoreline flattered them.
So when Klein ruled Jenkins had knocked the ball back, fuming Broncos fans were in full voice.
“For your life this is a knock-on … For your life,” Smith said on the Nine broadcast. “That is as bad as it comes.”
Gould was just as baffled.
“How do they come up with a decision like that?” said the rugby league supremo.
Tongue-in-cheek, Gould added: “Ah, the dementors.”
Brisbane fans made another statement when Penrith’s Jenkins crossed for his second try of the game with five minutes left on the clock, getting out of their seats and stomping out in their droves.