NRLW 2022, Roosters vs Eels, result, score, video, Isabelle Kelly, Zahara Tamara, penalty, field goal
A rare NRLW field goal handed the Roosters victory over Parramatta in what was a wild end to Sunday’s clash in Newcastle.
The game looked in danger of going to extra time for a result, when the two teams were square at 18-18 with little more than 10 minutes left on the clock.
That Chooks were on the attack when gun centre Isabelle Kelly lost the ball, handing possession back to the Eels.
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But the Roosters intervened with a captain’s challenge on the ruling, in the belief the ball had been raked out by an Eels defender.
The Bunker agreed with their assessment, and overturned the referee’s decision.
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“I understand the challenge but I do think she had a loose grip on it, she was trying to do too much with it,” Phil Gould said in Nine’s commentary.
“I don’t think anyone stripped it.”
The Bunker disagreed with Gould, and judged Eels player Simaima Taufa had interfered with the ball, causing it to come loose.
“This is big. This is huge, in the context of this game,” Ruan Sims said.
“That is a big call by the Roosters, and a good challenge by them.”
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The Roosters chose to use the penalty to kick for goal, which should have put them ahead by two points and would have potentially decided the game.
Tamara, though, hit the post with her conversion attempt and handed possession straight back to the Eels.
It was a bizarre turn of events and looked like it could cost the Roosters victory.
But Tamara made amends in the final minute of the game when she knocked over a field goal – only the second ever kicked in the NRLW – to make it 19-18 and secure the win.
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