NRL referee Ashley Klein has been absolutely torn to shreds over a diabolical “game-changing” blunder where he missed a knock on directly in front of him.
In the 25th minute the Storm were leading 6-0 as the Roosters began attacking Melbourne’s line.
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As the Roosters attacked the Storm line, a defused bomb was touched by Harry Grant who Klein believed had made a miracle catch.
However, he very clearly hadn’t as many people saw live.
Klein, who was positioned a matter of metres away with clear vision, ruled play on, confusing the commentators.
“He’s done a remarkable job to get that before it touched the ground Harry Grant,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
“Looks at this, looks like it’s headed for the ground — oh it has. He hasn’t done it.”
Andrew Voss added: “He couldn’t have had a better view of it and the poker face of Harry Grant, he got away with it. He got away with it big time. Oh dear Roosters fans. If the Storm are to take advantage on that call that is a big swing right there.”
A frustrated Trent Robinson remonstrated from the coach’s box as the Roosters then gave away a penalty.
On Nine, Mat Thompson yelled: “Ashley, what are you looking at?” to which his co-commentators added: “Obviously something different to Robbo.”
And from halfway, the Storm strolled over at the other end through Marion Seve.
The try made it 10-0, which in a low-scoring match is as good as gold with both teams’ seasons on the line.
Luckily for the Roosters, former Storm hooker Brandon Smith barged over from close range to make it 10-6 at halftime.
Unluckily for Klein, the massive moment didn’t escape the Fox Sports analysts at the break.
Broncos great Corey Parker said: “It’s hard enough to win semi-finals playing within the rules but that right there, that is a blatant knock on every day of the week.
“And off the back of that they roll down the other end of the field and Marion Seve was able to come up with a try.
“That is a horrible decision from Ashley Klein, should never have been made, it should have been pulled up, he was right in a good spot.”
Michael Ennis added: “You can give the referee some leeway but that one was blatant. It was right in front of Ashley Klein, he was two or three metres away. It’s such a significant moment. They are so hard to find points in these types of games and it was a big blunder.”
