Fans have taken aim at the inconsistency of the NRL officiating during Melbourne’s big win over the Wests Tigers on Sunday after Alex Twal was placed on report for a similar incident to Harry Grant that drew no sanction for the Storm skipper. Twal was hit with a $1000 fine after being charged with Grade 1 dangerous contact on Monday but crucially avoided suspension to keep his hopes of being selected in the NSW Origin squad alive.
The Tigers forward was penalised but escaped a sin bin after raising his elbow to the head of Trent Loiero and collecting the Storm forward in the face during a first half tackle. And his dream of being chosen in Laurie Daley’s Blues squad for the Origin opener is alive after the match review findings were handed down on Monday. The 29-year-old would be considered an outside shot to earn a maiden Origin call-up but his career-best form in 2026 means he’s certainly in the conversation.
NRL fans questioned why Harry Grant (L) wasn’t penalised for raising his forearm in a tackle similar to an incident that saw Tigers forward Alex Twal (R) placed on report. Pic: Getty/Fox League
But while Twal was pinged for his raised forearm during Sunday’s 44-16 loss, Melbourne captain Grant got off completely after a similar incident later in the first half. Grant darted out of dummy-half and led with his forearm after catching Latu Fainu in the head as the Tigers playmaker tried to bring him to ground.
NRL fans hit out over Harry Grant incidents
Fainu took exception to the contact and it sparked a melee between players from both sides before referee Andrew Gee awarded a penalty for Grant and the Storm. “Keep an eye on it – looked like Grant may have raised his forearm a little bit in the collision and Latu Fainu has taken a real dislike to the Australian hooker,” Michael Ennis said in commentary for Fox League. “Things are heating up here.”
Storm captain Harry Grant was not penalised after raising his forearm into the head of Latu Fainu during a tackle by the Tigers player. Pic: Fox League
Tigers skipper Jarome Luai attempted to plead their case to referee Gee but his appeals fell on deaf ears as Grant and the Storm was given a questionable penalty. Fans were also left questioning why Grant was allowed to stay on the field after being rocked in a separate incident in the first half that many thought should have required a head injury assessment. The Storm skipper stayed on and played a key role in the 28-point win.
Big boost for Storm fullback after incident against Tigers
The defeat for the Tigers was their second blowout loss in as many weeks, and came after key prop Terrell May was a late scratching before kick-off. May flew back to Sydney to be with his pregnant partner for the birth of their first child. The Tigers were also missing Api Koroisau (suspension), Heamasi Makasini (foot), Jahream Bula (shoulder) and Adam Doueihi (shoulder) and couldn’t cope without their stars as the Storm snapped a seven-game losing streak.
The win looked to have come a cost for Melbourne though, with star fullback Sua Fa’alogo leaving the field in the first half with a suspected cheekbone fracture shortly after scoring the game’s opening try. However, the Storm revealed on Monday that he’ll be free to play against Parramatta in Magic Round next Saturday night after scans revealed the fullback had escaped a fracture.
Sua Faalogo went off with a suspected cheekbone fracture in the first half against the Tigers, shortly after scoring the Storm’s opening try. Pic: Getty
(Graham Denholm via Getty Images)
“I think the worst case scenario (is) he might have a fractured cheekbone,” Bellamy said about Fa’alogo post-game. “Sometimes they’re fractured and they move out of place. Other times it’s just like a hairline so hopefully it’s just that. “At the moment, he seems okay, so he’ll go and have a scan and then we’ll know for sure.”