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 Archive > Year > 2006 > Nrl Telstra Premiership
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Grand Final
Melbourne Storm 8 l. Brisbane Broncos 15 |
 
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 Click the match link for full match details including teams, scoring details, articles and more Sun October 1 2006, 7:00PM GMT Sun: Melbourne Storm 8 l. Brisbane Broncos 15 at Telstra Stadium, Homebush Bay, Sydney (NSW) Crowd: 79,609  Storming through the Controversy Wed October 4, 2006 A lot has been discussed over the last few days in reference to the 50/50 calls in the 2006 Grand Final. This talk has taken the gloss off what was a magnificent win by the Brisbane Broncos, and what was a superb season by the Melbourne Storm. Throughout the season every club could name three or four instances where they were ripped off by a refereeing error or by bad luck. More than ever this season the officials error has come via the video referees box. Unfortunately for the Storm their instance was the Grand Final, in which two decisions in particular have played on the minds of the minor premiers. The disallowed try, ruled against Ryan Hoffman for a knock-on was a contentious decision. The ball did seem to hit the arm of Hoffman, constituting a knock-on, however when looking at some of the other tries this year (Brett Hodgson knock-on in Origin 3) there was also the chance to award a try. The fact that the try would have leveled the scores probably has made more people upset. Instead Brisbane regained the ball and kicked a field goal minutes later to wrap the match up. Storm players and officials have been outraged by the decision, but not many of them spoke up when Parramatta's season was on the line a month ago. In the 1v8 final, departing Eel Glenn Morrison forced his way over the line early in the second term, only to have the decision refered upstairs, and the video referee rule no try after nearly 20 replays. Morrison's try was the ultimate benefit of the doubt try, much like many we have seen awarded in 2006, however in bizarre circumstances the try was disallowed, and as Parramatta went down by just 6, that try would have given the Eels the chance to tie the match up and probably go on and win considering the momentum they were gathering. Apart from a departing jibe from Glen Morrison the Eels took the decision in their stride despite the fact that it knocked them out of the finals. In hindsight a win for Parramatta in that match would have seen them progress through to the second week of the finals, and from there anything could have happened. Although Melbourne are disappointed there is no need to take the gloss of the Broncos emphatic win. Much like the Eels their season was decided by the video referee. Being a club from the Super league side of the equation, the Storm can hardly complain as Super league was the unintelligent party which introduced the video referee and the ridiculous scrutiny that is associated with it. The other contentious decision came as the Storm through the ball wide, and Justin Hodges and two Storm players made a play at the ball before it went into touch. In normal speed it looked as if the ball had touched Hodges, however noting his strong and emotional reaction after the ball went into touch, many spectators may well have been convinced that it did not touch his hand. Hodges pointed furiously at Melbourne players, emotionally pleading with Paul Simpkins and the touch judge to believe him. No referee or touch judge is juvenile enough to do such a thing and as they should they ignored him. On replay the ball clearly touched the hand of Hodges, making such an impression that there was no way he could not have felt the ball. As the Storm also pleaded with the referee for their scrum feed, it was Hodges tantrum which drew most attention. This act was way past gamesmanship this was a disgusting act which sets a poor example for all children watching the game. As close as one can go to foul play without being penalised, Hodges blatantly lied and blew up on field, only to come out looking quite ridiculous. Maybe he was a little vulnerable after his previous efforts in big games. In Origin 2002 he gave away two tries after trying to pass in goals. Then a year later he busted his knee playing for QLD at Suncorp. In the 2004 Grand Final he and fellow antagonist Chris Walker were horribly exposed by the Bulldogs down the left side of the field. And in 2006 Hodges hit Cameron Smith in a nasty high tackle, as well as producing a performance that Harrison Ford would have been proud of. The Grand Final was closely fought, contested by two powerhouses, showcasing the talents of arguably the best player in the world in Darren Lockyer, and the best young backline in the NRL (Slater, Ingilis, King, Turner). It was controlled by the best referee in 2006 and was a game which woke up the sleeping giant of Brisbane. It was a memorable finale for Shane Webcke and the perfect feather in the cap for Captain Darren Lockyer, who now joins the list of great grand final captains. It is for this that the Grand Final and season 2006 should be remembered and not for other indiscretions that have been harped on in the media. Melbourne Storm fined $5,000 by NRL Wed October 4, 2006 Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au Melbourne Storm has been handed a $5,000 fine by the NRL after comments made by star centre Matt King regarding grand final referee Paul Simpkins during the club's fan day at MC Labour Park on Monday. "After Matt's comments the club has gone to great lengths to apologise to Paul Simpkins," said Storm CEO Brian Waldron. "Both myself and Matt have spoken to Paul and he was extremely understanding that what Matt said was a tongue in cheek comment, said without any malicious intent. "The NRL has chosen to impose a $5000 fine which the Melbourne Storm understands and accepts. "We absolutely respect that the integrity of the referees needs to be upheld and whilst Matt's comments were made in jest, they have obviously caused embarrassment. "This is a good lesson for all players that they need to be responsible at all times given the profile they carry." There will be no further comments made by the club regarding this matter. News sent by: www.melbournestorm.com.au
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