In a recent NRL incident, Shaun Johnson expressed his frustration regarding a slow-motion review by the Bunker that resulted in a controversial penalty against the Parramatta Eels. The penalty was issued after Bailey Simonsson was penalised for an alleged tackle attempt against Sharks player Ronaldo Mulitalo while both players were in the air, contesting a kick close to the try line.
During the encounter, Mulitalo made a remarkable attempt to score, twisting mid-air while trying to ground the ball. Following the attempt, referee Peter Gough ruled no try but initiated a review to assess whether Mulitalo had successfully grounded the ball. However, the replay revealed that Mulitalo had failed to ground the ball, causing it to drop from his hand.
In an unexpected twist, the Bunker sided with the Sharks, interpreting Simonsson’s action as an illegal tackle in mid-air, leading to the penalty. Johnson vehemently disagreed with the decision, arguing that slow-motion replays distort the rapid nature of the game. He remarked, “They can’t do this… stop watching in slow motion.”
The on-field dynamics heightened as Mulitalo’s celebrations were tempered by his uncertainty about successfully grounding the ball. Fox League commentator Cooper Cronk acknowledged Mulitalo’s impressive athleticism, but Johnson’s criticisms underscored the game’s irregularities surrounding aerial tackles.
Adding to the confusion, Johnson questioned why a penalty try wasn’t awarded if Simonsson’s action was deemed illegal. Chris Butler, the Bunker’s senior official, explained that a penalty try was dismissed because Mulitalo had “too much room to get the ball to the ground,” leading to further inquiries by Eels captain Mitchell Moses.
Moses was seen seeking clarity from Gough, who reiterated that Simonsson had made contact with Mulitalo’s arm while he was airborne. Moses passionately defended his teammate, asking, “What do you want him to do?” Despite the push for clearer explanations, Gough confirmed the decision, emphasising that he understood the disagreement but had to uphold the ruling made by the Bunker.
This incident has reignited discussions around the interpretation of aerial tackles and the influence of replay technology on match officiating, raising questions about how such situations should be adjudicated in the fast-paced environment of rugby league.