Broncos fans have been left to feel somewhat hard done by after a crucial Bulldogs try wasn’t ruled out despite the referee appearing to accidentally trip Ezra Mam in Brisbane’s costly defeat to Canterbury on Saturday afternoon. As the Broncos five-eighth came across to try and make a cover tackle on Canterbury fullback Connor Tracey, he lost his footing after Grant Atkins seemingly clipped his heels.
The Bulldogs came into Saturday afternoon’s match having lost their last seven to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, and their previous 13 games at the venue. But they put that hoodoo to bed and then then some with a staggering 41-16 win.
However, with the score 22-10 with 20 minutes to play, Brisbane were still within touching distance. But the game was quickly put out of their reach after the Broncos were once again cut open by Bronson Xerri, who broke the line from well inside the Bulldogs’ half before drawing and passing to Tracey who strolled over untouched. While the effort from Reece Walsh in cover left much to be desired, Mam was charging across to take the Canterbury No.1 when he lost his footing and fell to the ground.
Mam still almost managed to get a hand to Tracey before he crossed the line as Broncos players immediately swarmed the ref to protest. Replays appeared to show the ref clip the heels of the Brisbane No.6 but after a lengthy review from the bunker, the try was awarded to the Bulldogs.
It was a final nail in the coffin for the Broncos as their fans quickly took to X to voice their displeasure with the decision. However, other NRL fans weren’t so sure Atkins was to blame and thought the Broncos five-eighth may have tripped himself up.
Leave a Reply