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The new NRL rules have broken the Dragons’ hearts on Sunday afternoon, after the bunker took back a try awarded to the side early in its match with the Knights.
Some quick hands from the Dragons’ right edge sent winger Mikaele Ravalawa over in the game’s ninth minute.
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The on field referee awarded a try but when the bunker had a closer look, it appeared the ball may have hit the thumb of Dragons hardman Josh Kerr and travelled forward.
“This is as close as it gets,” said Fox League commentator Andrew Voss.
“That came from nowhere. Nowhere. I didn’t see it,” added premiership winner Michael Ennis.
“That could be a big moment”.
Under the new rules implemented by the league this season, the bunker may overturn the on field referee’s decision to award a try, provided they do so before the scoring team’s kicker takes their shot at goal.
The Newcastle crowd rejoiced as Ravalawa’s try was overturned.
The decision left Dragons fans shattered online.
“As a dragons fan; all I feel is pain,” tweeted YouTuber Jarrad Nance.
“Thought the bunker couldn’t rule on forward passes?” asked sports journalist Isaac McIntyre.
Adding insult to injury, Newcastle scored a miraculous try up the other end of the field a minute later, after Dragons youngster Cody Ramsey spilt the ball from a kick close to his side’s line.
The game has been a dour, low-scoring affair thus far, so the Dragons’ missed try could come back to haunt them when the final siren sounds.
Newcastle lost star halfback Mitchell Pearce to a pectoral injury midway through the opening stanza. Early indications are that Pearce has torn his pec rather than ruptured it, meaning he will likely miss three to eight weeks rather than several months.
“What a blow this could be for Newcastle and their season,” said Ennis.
The Dragons struck back shortly before half time through veteran Trent Merrin, who crossed for his first try since 2018.
“Last time he scored a try there was the iPhone 3,” joked Voss.
Tex Hoy, who has been deputising for Kalyn Ponga as Newcastle’s fullback, followed Pearce into the casualty ward later in the half with a hamstring injury.
A Kurt Mann field goal put the home side one point up at the break, as both teams look to gain the upper edge in the second 40.
Newcastle big man Josh King opened the scoring in the second half, crashing over in the 48th minute to put the Knight seven points ahead.
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