Debate has erupted following the controversial high-tackle penalty on Mitchell Moses that proved decisive in the Eels’ win over the Cowboys in Round 24.
With the scores sitting at 30-30 with six minutes remaining in the clash, the Parramatta halfback set up for a field goal but instead ran the ball.
He charged to the left edge and tripped, with defender Tom Chester making contact with his face while on the ground which led to an Eels captain’s challenge.
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Parramatta were awarded a penalty and Moses kicked the penalty goal which sealed a win, and The Daily Telegraph’s dean Richie warned rugby league was morphing into soccer.
“I didn’t like it, it’s the rules. I have to guess that we have to accept that he clipped him in the head… the fact he was on the ground though,” he said on NRL360 on Monday night.
“He passed the ball, but Mitch stayed down, he got the penalty, he got the goal, what do you say? I don’t like it though, I don’t like the milking that has come into our game.
“It’s not the game I was brought up on. We used to look down our nose at soccer.”
However, The Australian’s Brent Read believed Moses did not attempt to “milk” a penalty.
“Mitch didn’t milk it? He got up and pointed to his nose, he didn’t milk it,” Read argued.
“He’s said ‘challenge it’. That’s not milking, he didn’t stay down and feign injury… you can’t say to the referee you were hit in the head? Of course you do.
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“It’s not a great look, but it’s a penalty. He hit him in the head.”
Meanwhile, NRL360 host Braith Anasta highlighted Moses’ actions after the tackle, making a beeline for referee Todd Smith, while holding his nose.
What’s more is Anasta questioned why an ugly tackle from Sione Fainu on Dragons forward Dylan Egan went unpunished, even though it looked to be forceful and high.
