'Farcical': NRL fans make same complaint about referees as Panthers roll Tigers
The Tigers started the match brightly and led 2-0 after an early penalty goal from right in front. But things soon unravelled for Benji Marshall's side, who were guilty of gifting the four-time defending premiers field position with a series of six-again restarts.
Referee Peter Gough also pinged the Tigers for a 'roll-ball' after they failed to play the ball correctly and it helped give the Panthers the impetus as they scored three quick tries to establish a 16-point lead by halftime. The officials have made it clear that they will penalise players for not making a genuine attempt to rake the ball back with their foot in play-the-balls.
But as many viewers pointed out, several Panthers players appeared to do the same thing as the Tigers, without being penalised for it. Tries for Lindsay Smith, Casey McLean and Dylan Edwards set up Penrith's big lead at the break but there was a widespread belief from viewers across social media that the lead-up to many of the Panthers' tries included numerous 'roll-balls' that went unpunished from the officials.
Quick play-the-balls have become a much bigger factor in the NRL since the introduction of six-again restarts and Penrith are one of the best teams in the comp in that regard. But the reality is that players from every side seem to be getting away with incorrect play-the-balls and the decision-making process from referees around which ones to penalise has been labelled 'farcical' by many fans.
These roll ball calls are a farce! #nrlpantherstigers
— SupercoachKing (@supercoachking) July 26, 2025
Taking 4 months off the stupid roll ball penalties and bringing them back in round 21 is farcical #NRLPanthersTigers
— Anthony (@roosterman1997) July 26, 2025
Tigers get penalised for not playing the ball with their foot.The ENTIRE next set of 6 from the Panthers, not one foot touched a played ball. All rolled. This is the bullshit that the fans hate. The gross inconsistencies & subjective rules. @NRL#NRLPanthersTigers
— Matt (@MC_Hammer75) July 26, 2025
Panthers just scored their second try from a straight up roll ball… the inconsistency is a joke #nrlpantherstigers
— ShireTiger (@ShireTiger) July 26, 2025
Just watched the Tigers get pinged for a roll ball, 25m from their own line. Foot made the movement, missed it by an inch. I figured I'd watch the Panthers next set… they had two, a late six again… and not a single foot touched a ball. Not one. Then they scored.
— Sean Doherty (@seano888) July 26, 2025
Panthers close in on top-four with seventh-straight win
Despite the backlash against the officials, the Tigers were ultimately outclassed by Ivan Cleary's Panthers, who took another giant step towards finishing the season in the top four. The fourth-placed Warriors' slip-up against the lowly Titans has given Penrith fresh hope and Brisbane's loss against the Eels allowed the defending champs to leapfrog the Broncos into fifth.
Penrith will need the Warriors to lose at least twice on the run home to snatch fourth spot but Penrith's red-hot form and return to their premiership-winning defence gives them a massive chance. The situation is a far cry from a 1-5 start to the season from Penrith, who sat dead-last just two months ago, before their stunning winning streak started.
"I'll be happy to make the top eight, really," Penrith coach Cleary said after the Tigers game. "I'm very proud of the boys, the whole club really, the way we've just sort of hung in there and essentially just trusted what we do.
Penrith fullback Edwards was a standout after running for a game-high 322 metres, while also chiming in with a try and try assist. Nathan Cleary was also in imperious form with three try assists - one of which appeared to include a forward pass in the build-up though. Cleary kicked a perfect six-from-six with the boot too, with the champion Penrith halfback controlling the game superbly to all but end the Tigers' hopes of playing finals footy.
"I thought we got taught a lesson on game management, field position, kicking game and choking - we got strangled to death by them tonight," Tigers coach Benji Marshall said after the 34-point belting. "They were outstanding."
Cleary turns on the burners and finds Edwards!📺 Watch #NRLPanthersTigers on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/FyInrDMS6g✍️ BLOG https://t.co/MZGI5avigX🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/jF4e5dcWBN pic.twitter.com/pJ3ihlgpYd
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) July 26, 2025
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