Benji Marshall, coach of the Wests Tigers, may face disciplinary action from the NRL following his outspoken criticism of match officials after a narrow loss to Penrith on Sunday. Marshall expressed concern over two pivotal refereeing decisions that he believed directly affected his team’s chance of winning. He stated that the players were let down by these calls, particularly a controversial tackle ruling against Jarome Luai that shifted the momentum of the game.
Despite Marshall’s frustration, Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary dismissed the complaints, suggesting his team’s penalties were even fewer than expected.
In other NRL news, Lachlan Galvin made a significant impact for the Canterbury Bulldogs during their match against the Eels, contributing to a win with crucial late tries. His pairing with Matt Burton in the halves showcased new options for coach Cameron Ciraldo, which enhances the Bulldogs’ attacking strategies.
Additionally, Josh Papali’i celebrated a memorable milestone in Canberra’s comeback against South Sydney, scoring a double and converting a try in a match that seemed lost at half-time.
Reece Walsh impressed in the Brisbane Broncos’ commanding victory over the Titans, showing resilience despite aggravating a knee injury and scoring late tries. His performance caught the attention of Maroons coach Billy Slater.
Chanel Harris-Tavita, who previously stepped away from the game at 24 for travel, returned to form with an outstanding performance for the Warriors, leading them to victory over Cronulla with two tries and valuable assists.
Conversely, the Dolphins have rebounded from a rocky start this season under coach Kristian Woolf, now scoring heavily and demonstrating formidable attacking capability.
Lastly, Harry Grant’s standout performance for Melbourne Storm highlighted his return to form, a timely boost ahead of an upcoming crucial match for the Maroons.
Meanwhile, the Newcastle Knights demonstrated significant resilience, staging a dramatic comeback against the Sea Eagles, fuelled by their fans’ passionate support after a disappointing first half. The crowd’s reaction seemed to galvanise the players, leading to a remarkable victory in golden point extra time.