In a tightly contested match on Saturday night, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan expressed his frustration over a controversial forward pass ruling that cost his team an early try in their 28-24 defeat to the Raiders. The decision came at a pivotal moment when fullback Tyrell Sloan appeared to score in the corner, only for the try to be disallowed due to a pass from teammate Moses Suli that was deemed forward. Many fans and analysts questioned the ruling, with some suggesting the pass looked flat or even backwards.
Commentator Cooper Cronk weighed in, stating he believed the call was marginal and significantly impacted the game’s outcome. Post-match, Flanagan voiced his disappointment, feeling that the Dragons could have claimed victory if not for a few unfortunate incidents, particularly regarding the misleading officiating.
Making light of the league’s new rules, which penalise direct criticism of referees during press conferences, Flanagan noted, “Lucky the rules are changing concerning press conferences because I’d be paying a fine.” He acknowledged the prevailing dynamics of the game, suggesting that while the Raiders, being at the top of the table, tend to benefit from favourable decisions, teams like his struggling in mid-table often face tougher calls.
The loss left the Dragons sitting 11th on the ladder, two points shy of the top eight. Despite this setback, Flanagan remains optimistic about the team’s chances of making a finals push. He emphasised the importance of maintaining commitment and attitude going forward. After a solid win the previous week, Flanagan believed that a similar effort against strong opponents like the Raiders could pay off in future games.
Although Sloan finished the match with two tries, his initial disallowed effort was a turning point that left a bitter taste in Flanagan’s mouth. He respects the Raiders for their ability to endure and seize opportunities, acknowledging that his own side must continue to push hard in the remaining matches of the season.