NRL icon Cooper Cronk was left stunned on Sunday after the Bunker green-lit a controversial try that paved way for the Raiders to steal victory from the Dragons.
Canberra were leading by two points in the second half when Savage pinched a cut-out pass from Kyle Flanagan and raced the length of the field to score in his team’s come-from-behind 24-16 win over the last-placed Red V.
Simi Sasagi gets a hand on a pass from Kyle Flanagan. Fox League
There were multiple Dragons players in the area that Flanagan aimed to pass to, but it took a clear deflection from the hand of Canberra’s Simi Sasagi.
Replays appeared to confirm that due to Sasagi’s contact, the ball landed in the hands of his teammate Savage and ultimately set up the try.
As each angle of the touch from Sasagi was shown, Cronk became more confident that the Bunker was going to intervene and overrule the decision.
“I think it has gone forward off Sasagi and falls all the way into the hands of Savage,” he said on Fox League commentary.
“He touches the ball and goes forward. You can’t rule on a forward pass, but you can rule on a knock-on. It definitely touched him, I think it’s gone forward.”
Roach agreed with that explanation, declaring Cronk was a “genius”.
Bunker official Adam Gee had plenty of opportunities to overturn the try, but the call never came and Cronk was left totally confused.
“I don’t know about that. Can I borrow your glasses Blocker?” Cronk said after the confirmation of the try was announced.
“That’s not a try. That has been propelled forward from Sasagi.”
Cronk was not the only one to believe it was a no try.
Dragons skipper Damien Cook revealed even the Raiders players were surprised to see the try had been awarded after seeing the replays.
“To be honest, it was pretty disappointing,” he told reporters post-match.
“If I can sum it up, even the Raiders team were pretty shocked at the decision. They didn’t even have a kicker down there.
“It’s not just us that it’s affecting in games, the fans as well and they deserve better. I know I’m not a professional, but there were a couple of calls out there.”
Clint Gutherson reacts after losing to the Raiders. Mark Nolan
Dragons interim coach Dean Young agreed with Cook.
“The execution is on us, we’ve got to own that – but I’m very disappointed in a couple of the Bunker calls,” Young said.
The visitors managed to respond shortly after the controversial try was awarded through Tyrell Sloan, but the enigmatic winger then dropped a ball inside his own half that gave the Raiders a chance to seal the win through Tom Starling.