Stefano Utoikamanu avoids charge as Raiders' win over Storm sullied by controversy
Magic Round mostly avoided the sort of refereeing controversy that many feared would rear its ugly head.
There were strange calls such as Ronaldo Mulitalo's spectacular effort against the Eels that shouldn't have warranted a penalty but did. And, if it did, should have been a penalty try, but wasn't.
Even in that instance, both teams got a little lucky, so we move on.
Most importantly, the high-tackle crackdown that undeniably poisoned round eight was by the wayside. It meant some shots went without penalties — a simple fact of life in a quickfire contact sport accepted by all but the most putrid homers — and the games flowed like they should.
But it turns out we were just saving all the drama up for the final game on Sunday as
Gerard Sutton sent two players to the sin-bin in golden point.
(
Getty Images: Hannah Peters
)
The Raiders came out with a game plan to aggravate the Storm with typically aggressive line speed and some extras in the tackle, and it worked a treat, especially in the biggest moments.
The penalties against Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu for lashing out at tacklers with the ball in a match-winning position are the sort of 50/50 decisions that may well have gone the other way at the opposite end of the field.
Loiero came down on Joe Tapine and Utoikamanu dragged his foot into Tom Starling as both Raiders were hanging on in the ruck with the Storm set up for game-winning field goals.
Loading Twitter content
"We're playing rugby league. You're trying to get a quick play of the ball. It's a tough thing to swallow," Ryan Papenhuyzen told ABC Sport.
"
[Utoikamanu's] gonna be on report for that and watch him get off it. … Probably shouldn't have said that.
"
Papenhuyzen's prediction proved correct on Monday morning as Utoikamanu and Loiero both escaped sanctions from the match review committee, but they won't be so lucky in the team's review session.
"We do have to be better. That's the way they're going to officiate the game now and we've got to respond to that," Papenhuyzen added.
The simple fact is both Storm players allowed themselves to be rattled and it cost their team the game.
Trent Loiero asked the referee what he was supposed to do to avoid giving away the match-losing penalty.
(
Getty Images: Chris Hyde
)
Loiero is nibbling around the edges of State of Origin selection but if he can't keep his composure in that sort of game, Billy Slater will have reservations about picking a man likely to spontaneously combust in the pressure of Origin.
Utoikamanu has been in that arena, but that 2023 debut feels like a lifetime ago. The 24-year-old is starting to build some form and couldn't be in a better system for his development.
ABC Sport is live blogging every round of the
and
seasons in 2025.
He needs to respond to coach Craig Bellamy, who after the game said Big Stef might have been the only player he's ever seen give away two penalties as the attacking player in a game, both in prime attacking positions at crucial moments.
"If he was in the wrong, he needs to pick his discipline up," Bellamy told reporters.
"It's unlike anyone, it is. You show me a bloke that gives away two penalties when he's got the ball in the game, I'm thinking you're not looking at too many people.
"
And to do it in the one game, it cost us, it cost us dearly. We just need to be a bit more disciplined.
"
To focus solely on the controversial, game-deciding but not explicitly wrong decisions would be a disservice to a contest that was one of the matches of the year.
Melbourne's attack was typically scintillating and, for perhaps the first time this season, the defence just about matched it.
Photo shows
A stylised graphic with three silhouettes of unidentified a female footballer, tennis player, basketballer
ABC Sport and Deakin University have partnered to produce the first ABC Elite Athletes in Australian Women's Sport Survey.
Sua Fa'alogo, one of the most promising young players in the league, had the most complete performance of his career, playing a crucial hand in all three Storm tries, including scoring the final one.
For the Raiders, Kaeo Weekes proved the game-breaker with his gorgeous chip-and-chase try in the wet, but Hudson Young, Joe Tapine and Jamal Fogarty all had dominant outings.
Ricky Stuart's side showed their usual grit as they came back from another early deficit to claim a fourth-straight win.
And with three of those victories coming against Canterbury, Cronulla and now Melbourne, we can do away with the idea that this team is anything less than a premiership contender.
The ABC of SPORT
Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.
Your information is being handled in accordance with the
Email address
Subscribe

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Maroons star's damning stat that NSW 'don't care about'
Recalled Queensland second-rower Kurt Capewell has the most missed tackles in the NRL this year but neither he nor NSW counterpart Angus Crichton is reading anything into it. NRL statistics reveal that the 31-year-old has missed 75 tackles in his 13 games for the Warriors this season, 20 more than Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau (55) who is next on the list. Capewell has played nine games in the back-row and four at centre this year but was not fazed by those defensive numbers ahead of game two of the State of Origin series in Perth. "I am not aware of that stat but we are winning games at the Warriors so it obviously doesn't mean too much," he said. Missed tackle stats can be somewhat misleading, given players who make an effort to stop an opponent are negatively marked as opposed to those who make no contact and no effort. "Probably a lot of them are effort plays where you are pushing someone across field or trying to make a cover tackle," Capewell said. "I don't read too much into the stats and I just do what I can for the team to win." Crichton, who does not believe the Maroons will run out as their team list suggests, has no interest in Capewell's defensive statistics. "I just don't care about their stats," Crichton said. "I don't care about their team. I don't care about their changes. "All I care about is our team and how we're going to get a better performance out of this side that I know we can produce." Capewell was overlooked for the 18-6 loss in game one of this year's series but played the last two matches of 2024 that the Maroons lost. He was a key man in 2020 and 2022 series wins for the Maroons and is highly regarded for his leadership, attacking instincts and push supports. Capewell has helped the Warriors surge into the top four this season after missing the finals in 2024. He was asked if he thought his Origin career had passed him by before getting the call-up for Perth. "Obviously it crosses your mind but I just worry about my form at club level and luckily the club has done really good and that has helped me play better," he said. "It has been a highlight of my career to come into these camps and I'm honoured to be back again. "Something about my game that I pride myself on is that I will do whatever the team needs. "I will come in and try and do what I do well and try and get our game on. I feel like in game one (Queensland) probably missed the mark at getting our game on so we will work on that this week. "There is a lot of feeling and emotion in this game so that's something we have to be ready for and we can't miss the start."


Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Maroons star's damning stat that NSW 'don't care about'
Recalled Queensland second-rower Kurt Capewell has the most missed tackles in the NRL this year but neither he nor NSW counterpart Angus Crichton is reading anything into it. NRL statistics reveal that the 31-year-old has missed 75 tackles in his 13 games for the Warriors this season, 20 more than Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau (55) who is next on the list. Capewell has played nine games in the back-row and four at centre this year but was not fazed by those defensive numbers ahead of game two of the State of Origin series in Perth. "I am not aware of that stat but we are winning games at the Warriors so it obviously doesn't mean too much," he said. Missed tackle stats can be somewhat misleading, given players who make an effort to stop an opponent are negatively marked as opposed to those who make no contact and no effort. "Probably a lot of them are effort plays where you are pushing someone across field or trying to make a cover tackle," Capewell said. "I don't read too much into the stats and I just do what I can for the team to win." Crichton, who does not believe the Maroons will run out as their team list suggests, has no interest in Capewell's defensive statistics. "I just don't care about their stats," Crichton said. "I don't care about their team. I don't care about their changes. "All I care about is our team and how we're going to get a better performance out of this side that I know we can produce." Capewell was overlooked for the 18-6 loss in game one of this year's series but played the last two matches of 2024 that the Maroons lost. He was a key man in 2020 and 2022 series wins for the Maroons and is highly regarded for his leadership, attacking instincts and push supports. Capewell has helped the Warriors surge into the top four this season after missing the finals in 2024. He was asked if he thought his Origin career had passed him by before getting the call-up for Perth. "Obviously it crosses your mind but I just worry about my form at club level and luckily the club has done really good and that has helped me play better," he said. "It has been a highlight of my career to come into these camps and I'm honoured to be back again. "Something about my game that I pride myself on is that I will do whatever the team needs. "I will come in and try and do what I do well and try and get our game on. I feel like in game one (Queensland) probably missed the mark at getting our game on so we will work on that this week. "There is a lot of feeling and emotion in this game so that's something we have to be ready for and we can't miss the start."


The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Why it was the right call to axe a legend
Queensland must go back to what has served them best in desperate hours of need. They have to "want it" more than NSW or their hopes of keeping the State of Origin series alive will be blown apart in Perth next week. That attitude - combined with NSW looking like they thought they only had to do so much to win, a trap the Blues have fallen into plenty of times - has brought the Maroons many wins against the odds since Origin began in 1980. Comparing the two lineups on paper, it's very hard to see Queensland winning and the bookmakers agree. They've got NSW as hot favourites with the Maroons getting 8.5 points start at a neutral venue. The Blues won game one 18-6 on Queensland's home ground and the reality was the difference between the two teams was more like twice that 12-point advantage. There is also no form-line coming out of recent years that supports the idea of the Maroons turning this series around with a win in game two and sending it to a decider at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 9. Queensland have traditionally fought back strongly in game two after NSW have taken a substantial advantage by winning game one. They won nine and lost nine of the first 18 game twos played under those circumstances, but the last two times the Blues have won the opening game - in 2018 and 2021 - they've gone on to clinch the series by winning game two. Queensland are coming off three straight Origin losses - games two and three last year and this year's opener. The last time they lost three in a row before that was games two and three in 2005 and the opener in 2006. The last time the Maroons lost four in a row was in 1996-97, when they actually lost five straight. They were clean swept in '96 and lost the first two in '97. The Maroons haven't scored a try 13 on 13 against the Blues in either of the last two Origins. Their only try came when the Blues were down to 12 men via a player in the sin bin in game one of this series. And NSW have a stunningly good record in game twos played at neutral venues. They have won seven out of eight such games, including the last five in a row and the only two that have been played in Perth - in 2019 and '22. Back when igniting a brawl was a good way of putting your opponents off their game the Maroons got excellent value out of that tactic. But now, because of the risk of leaving your team a man down for 10 minutes in the fastest game of rugby league that exists, no-one dares to throw a punch. It's all just push and shove and harsh words. No-one gets put off their game. Queensland coach Billy Slater did what he had to do and axed the under-performing veteran halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans for this game, promoting Tom Dearden from the bench to start in the number seven jumper. The Maroons need their forwards to turn up way better than they did in Origin I and for Dearden and his halves partner and new Queensland captain Cameron Munster to play out of their minds behind that. It'll help a lot if the Blues are off their game a bit. Maybe then, just maybe, the Maroons might have a shot at winning. Remember, it is Origin, and anything can happen. Queensland have got to hang on to that thought now as much as ever. Now that the State of Origin career of Cherry-Evans is over we wait to see what happens with his club career and what has been an interesting watch from the start is rapidly becoming a fascinating one. The strong mail all along since he declared this will be his last season with Manly is that he will play for Sydney Roosters next year, but still there is no confirmation. It makes you wonder if there hasn't been a firm deal done yet or the Roosters have got cold feet based on DCE's patchy recent club form and Origin sacking on top of that. Or both. The Roosters struck gold when they signed veteran halfback Cooper Cronk and he steered them to back-to-back premierships in 2018-19, but they're asking for a lot if they hope DCE can have a similar effect. MORE NRL NEWS Cronk had turned 34 in the December before he began playing for the Roosters and was undeniably still at the peak of his powers. He had won another premiership with Melbourne in 2017. DCE turns 37 in February and his only premiership came with the Sea Eagles back in 2011. Good luck to DCE if he scores another big contract to finish his career, but I reckon the Roosters would be better off concentrating on their young halves coming through rather than gambling on lightning striking twice. Lachlan Galvin joining Canterbury might actually improve Toby Sexton's chances of winning a new contract with the club. Sexton's move from halfback to hooker for the Bulldogs against Parramatta on the holiday Monday when Galvin came off the bench to play halfback gave Sexton the chance to display his versatility and he did a fine job with what was an unscripted move. He could become a valuable cover for the halves and hooker from the bench or maybe even challenge for the starting hooker role down the track. Sexton is a fantastic clubman too, which only adds to his appeal. Queensland must go back to what has served them best in desperate hours of need. They have to "want it" more than NSW or their hopes of keeping the State of Origin series alive will be blown apart in Perth next week. That attitude - combined with NSW looking like they thought they only had to do so much to win, a trap the Blues have fallen into plenty of times - has brought the Maroons many wins against the odds since Origin began in 1980. Comparing the two lineups on paper, it's very hard to see Queensland winning and the bookmakers agree. They've got NSW as hot favourites with the Maroons getting 8.5 points start at a neutral venue. The Blues won game one 18-6 on Queensland's home ground and the reality was the difference between the two teams was more like twice that 12-point advantage. There is also no form-line coming out of recent years that supports the idea of the Maroons turning this series around with a win in game two and sending it to a decider at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 9. Queensland have traditionally fought back strongly in game two after NSW have taken a substantial advantage by winning game one. They won nine and lost nine of the first 18 game twos played under those circumstances, but the last two times the Blues have won the opening game - in 2018 and 2021 - they've gone on to clinch the series by winning game two. Queensland are coming off three straight Origin losses - games two and three last year and this year's opener. The last time they lost three in a row before that was games two and three in 2005 and the opener in 2006. The last time the Maroons lost four in a row was in 1996-97, when they actually lost five straight. They were clean swept in '96 and lost the first two in '97. The Maroons haven't scored a try 13 on 13 against the Blues in either of the last two Origins. Their only try came when the Blues were down to 12 men via a player in the sin bin in game one of this series. And NSW have a stunningly good record in game twos played at neutral venues. They have won seven out of eight such games, including the last five in a row and the only two that have been played in Perth - in 2019 and '22. Back when igniting a brawl was a good way of putting your opponents off their game the Maroons got excellent value out of that tactic. But now, because of the risk of leaving your team a man down for 10 minutes in the fastest game of rugby league that exists, no-one dares to throw a punch. It's all just push and shove and harsh words. No-one gets put off their game. Queensland coach Billy Slater did what he had to do and axed the under-performing veteran halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans for this game, promoting Tom Dearden from the bench to start in the number seven jumper. The Maroons need their forwards to turn up way better than they did in Origin I and for Dearden and his halves partner and new Queensland captain Cameron Munster to play out of their minds behind that. It'll help a lot if the Blues are off their game a bit. Maybe then, just maybe, the Maroons might have a shot at winning. Remember, it is Origin, and anything can happen. Queensland have got to hang on to that thought now as much as ever. Now that the State of Origin career of Cherry-Evans is over we wait to see what happens with his club career and what has been an interesting watch from the start is rapidly becoming a fascinating one. The strong mail all along since he declared this will be his last season with Manly is that he will play for Sydney Roosters next year, but still there is no confirmation. It makes you wonder if there hasn't been a firm deal done yet or the Roosters have got cold feet based on DCE's patchy recent club form and Origin sacking on top of that. Or both. The Roosters struck gold when they signed veteran halfback Cooper Cronk and he steered them to back-to-back premierships in 2018-19, but they're asking for a lot if they hope DCE can have a similar effect. MORE NRL NEWS Cronk had turned 34 in the December before he began playing for the Roosters and was undeniably still at the peak of his powers. He had won another premiership with Melbourne in 2017. DCE turns 37 in February and his only premiership came with the Sea Eagles back in 2011. Good luck to DCE if he scores another big contract to finish his career, but I reckon the Roosters would be better off concentrating on their young halves coming through rather than gambling on lightning striking twice. Lachlan Galvin joining Canterbury might actually improve Toby Sexton's chances of winning a new contract with the club. Sexton's move from halfback to hooker for the Bulldogs against Parramatta on the holiday Monday when Galvin came off the bench to play halfback gave Sexton the chance to display his versatility and he did a fine job with what was an unscripted move. He could become a valuable cover for the halves and hooker from the bench or maybe even challenge for the starting hooker role down the track. Sexton is a fantastic clubman too, which only adds to his appeal. Queensland must go back to what has served them best in desperate hours of need. They have to "want it" more than NSW or their hopes of keeping the State of Origin series alive will be blown apart in Perth next week. That attitude - combined with NSW looking like they thought they only had to do so much to win, a trap the Blues have fallen into plenty of times - has brought the Maroons many wins against the odds since Origin began in 1980. Comparing the two lineups on paper, it's very hard to see Queensland winning and the bookmakers agree. They've got NSW as hot favourites with the Maroons getting 8.5 points start at a neutral venue. The Blues won game one 18-6 on Queensland's home ground and the reality was the difference between the two teams was more like twice that 12-point advantage. There is also no form-line coming out of recent years that supports the idea of the Maroons turning this series around with a win in game two and sending it to a decider at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 9. Queensland have traditionally fought back strongly in game two after NSW have taken a substantial advantage by winning game one. They won nine and lost nine of the first 18 game twos played under those circumstances, but the last two times the Blues have won the opening game - in 2018 and 2021 - they've gone on to clinch the series by winning game two. Queensland are coming off three straight Origin losses - games two and three last year and this year's opener. The last time they lost three in a row before that was games two and three in 2005 and the opener in 2006. The last time the Maroons lost four in a row was in 1996-97, when they actually lost five straight. They were clean swept in '96 and lost the first two in '97. The Maroons haven't scored a try 13 on 13 against the Blues in either of the last two Origins. Their only try came when the Blues were down to 12 men via a player in the sin bin in game one of this series. And NSW have a stunningly good record in game twos played at neutral venues. They have won seven out of eight such games, including the last five in a row and the only two that have been played in Perth - in 2019 and '22. Back when igniting a brawl was a good way of putting your opponents off their game the Maroons got excellent value out of that tactic. But now, because of the risk of leaving your team a man down for 10 minutes in the fastest game of rugby league that exists, no-one dares to throw a punch. It's all just push and shove and harsh words. No-one gets put off their game. Queensland coach Billy Slater did what he had to do and axed the under-performing veteran halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans for this game, promoting Tom Dearden from the bench to start in the number seven jumper. The Maroons need their forwards to turn up way better than they did in Origin I and for Dearden and his halves partner and new Queensland captain Cameron Munster to play out of their minds behind that. It'll help a lot if the Blues are off their game a bit. Maybe then, just maybe, the Maroons might have a shot at winning. Remember, it is Origin, and anything can happen. Queensland have got to hang on to that thought now as much as ever. Now that the State of Origin career of Cherry-Evans is over we wait to see what happens with his club career and what has been an interesting watch from the start is rapidly becoming a fascinating one. The strong mail all along since he declared this will be his last season with Manly is that he will play for Sydney Roosters next year, but still there is no confirmation. It makes you wonder if there hasn't been a firm deal done yet or the Roosters have got cold feet based on DCE's patchy recent club form and Origin sacking on top of that. Or both. The Roosters struck gold when they signed veteran halfback Cooper Cronk and he steered them to back-to-back premierships in 2018-19, but they're asking for a lot if they hope DCE can have a similar effect. MORE NRL NEWS Cronk had turned 34 in the December before he began playing for the Roosters and was undeniably still at the peak of his powers. He had won another premiership with Melbourne in 2017. DCE turns 37 in February and his only premiership came with the Sea Eagles back in 2011. Good luck to DCE if he scores another big contract to finish his career, but I reckon the Roosters would be better off concentrating on their young halves coming through rather than gambling on lightning striking twice. Lachlan Galvin joining Canterbury might actually improve Toby Sexton's chances of winning a new contract with the club. Sexton's move from halfback to hooker for the Bulldogs against Parramatta on the holiday Monday when Galvin came off the bench to play halfback gave Sexton the chance to display his versatility and he did a fine job with what was an unscripted move. He could become a valuable cover for the halves and hooker from the bench or maybe even challenge for the starting hooker role down the track. Sexton is a fantastic clubman too, which only adds to his appeal. Queensland must go back to what has served them best in desperate hours of need. They have to "want it" more than NSW or their hopes of keeping the State of Origin series alive will be blown apart in Perth next week. That attitude - combined with NSW looking like they thought they only had to do so much to win, a trap the Blues have fallen into plenty of times - has brought the Maroons many wins against the odds since Origin began in 1980. Comparing the two lineups on paper, it's very hard to see Queensland winning and the bookmakers agree. They've got NSW as hot favourites with the Maroons getting 8.5 points start at a neutral venue. The Blues won game one 18-6 on Queensland's home ground and the reality was the difference between the two teams was more like twice that 12-point advantage. There is also no form-line coming out of recent years that supports the idea of the Maroons turning this series around with a win in game two and sending it to a decider at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 9. Queensland have traditionally fought back strongly in game two after NSW have taken a substantial advantage by winning game one. They won nine and lost nine of the first 18 game twos played under those circumstances, but the last two times the Blues have won the opening game - in 2018 and 2021 - they've gone on to clinch the series by winning game two. Queensland are coming off three straight Origin losses - games two and three last year and this year's opener. The last time they lost three in a row before that was games two and three in 2005 and the opener in 2006. The last time the Maroons lost four in a row was in 1996-97, when they actually lost five straight. They were clean swept in '96 and lost the first two in '97. The Maroons haven't scored a try 13 on 13 against the Blues in either of the last two Origins. Their only try came when the Blues were down to 12 men via a player in the sin bin in game one of this series. And NSW have a stunningly good record in game twos played at neutral venues. They have won seven out of eight such games, including the last five in a row and the only two that have been played in Perth - in 2019 and '22. Back when igniting a brawl was a good way of putting your opponents off their game the Maroons got excellent value out of that tactic. But now, because of the risk of leaving your team a man down for 10 minutes in the fastest game of rugby league that exists, no-one dares to throw a punch. It's all just push and shove and harsh words. No-one gets put off their game. Queensland coach Billy Slater did what he had to do and axed the under-performing veteran halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans for this game, promoting Tom Dearden from the bench to start in the number seven jumper. The Maroons need their forwards to turn up way better than they did in Origin I and for Dearden and his halves partner and new Queensland captain Cameron Munster to play out of their minds behind that. It'll help a lot if the Blues are off their game a bit. Maybe then, just maybe, the Maroons might have a shot at winning. Remember, it is Origin, and anything can happen. Queensland have got to hang on to that thought now as much as ever. Now that the State of Origin career of Cherry-Evans is over we wait to see what happens with his club career and what has been an interesting watch from the start is rapidly becoming a fascinating one. The strong mail all along since he declared this will be his last season with Manly is that he will play for Sydney Roosters next year, but still there is no confirmation. It makes you wonder if there hasn't been a firm deal done yet or the Roosters have got cold feet based on DCE's patchy recent club form and Origin sacking on top of that. Or both. The Roosters struck gold when they signed veteran halfback Cooper Cronk and he steered them to back-to-back premierships in 2018-19, but they're asking for a lot if they hope DCE can have a similar effect. MORE NRL NEWS Cronk had turned 34 in the December before he began playing for the Roosters and was undeniably still at the peak of his powers. He had won another premiership with Melbourne in 2017. DCE turns 37 in February and his only premiership came with the Sea Eagles back in 2011. Good luck to DCE if he scores another big contract to finish his career, but I reckon the Roosters would be better off concentrating on their young halves coming through rather than gambling on lightning striking twice. Lachlan Galvin joining Canterbury might actually improve Toby Sexton's chances of winning a new contract with the club. Sexton's move from halfback to hooker for the Bulldogs against Parramatta on the holiday Monday when Galvin came off the bench to play halfback gave Sexton the chance to display his versatility and he did a fine job with what was an unscripted move. He could become a valuable cover for the halves and hooker from the bench or maybe even challenge for the starting hooker role down the track. Sexton is a fantastic clubman too, which only adds to his appeal.