But the decision to award a try – on advice from the Bunker – has split NRL experts and pundits.<\/p>\n
Referee Liam Kennedy initially decided not to give the try because he felt the ball was knocked on, but he reversed his decision after consulting the Bunker.<\/p>\n
It was ruled Cobbo had knocked the ball back and therefore Chester did not have to re-grip the ball after it came out of his hands.<\/p>\n
He managed to get the required contact on the ball to touch it down on the line and a try was given, sparking backlash among some pundits and fans.<\/p>\n
Enjoying the Dolphins vs Cowboys game but just imagine the Tom Chester \u2018try\u2019 deciding a grand final,\u201d wrote Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss on X.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been a knock on since 1908. Disallow try and 99.99 per cent of fans would have agreed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bunker was in the 0.01 per cent who thought try… What are the odds!\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
At halftime Cooper Cronk said on Fox Sports: \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like a try. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the Bunker has ruled is that Cobbo has played at the ball so therefore it\u2019s not a knock on, it’s a ball in motion and all Chest has to do is put his hands down.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not whether a try or no try, it\u2019s has Cobbo played at the ball or is he just making a tackle? Because if he\u2019s just making a tackle it’s a knock on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves quickly interjected, arguing: \u201cNah I don\u2019t fell like he\u2019s playing at the ball whatsoever, he\u2019s trying to make a genuine tackle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s trying to wrap the arms and the ball comes out loosely. It\u2019s not a try.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several fans were in agreed that the Bunker made the wrong call, but some hit back at Voss\u2019 tweet too.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiam Kennedy with another howler,\u201d wrote one fan.<\/p>\n
\u201cFarcical decision,\u201d added another.<\/p>\n
A third wrote: \u201cThey have lost the plot, ridiculous decision. What is going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
And another commented: \u201cWhat the actual\u2026@NRL. Tom Chester buy a lotto ticket. Try to the Cowboys.\u201d<\/p>\n
But one viewer saw it differently, hitting back at Voss: \u201cI understand the position in the media for talking points.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut can we actually get some more actual attention to what the referee says when making the decision rather than cheap outrage points.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another added: \u201cThe way I saw it, Selwyn Cobbo played at Tom Chester\u2019s right bicep to attempt a tackle and the contact with the ball was purely incidental. Ref interpretation was incorrect and bunker erred by supporting that interpretation.\u201d<\/p>\n