The Melbourne Storm have asked the NRL for a please explain after an embarrassing refereeing error that could have had major ramifications on the outcome of Saturday night's preliminary final.
While it didn't end up costing them, the Storm have asked the NRL why Cameron Smith was forced to attempt a conversion – and missed – 10 metres wider from where Cheyse Blair had scored in the 60th minute of the match against Canberra at AAMI Park.
In a finals series that has been marred by controversial officiating, the NRL avoided another black eye given the Storm held on to book their passage into the grand final, but it still could have a major impact on the selection of the referees for the decider between Cronulla and Melbourne at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
The blunder could have proved costly, given Smith missed what should have been a simple conversion that would have taken Melbourne out to an eight-point lead with a quarter of the match remaining.
However, a penalty goal soon after gave Melbourne the eight-point buffer they needed to win the game, and they held out a late resurgence from the Raiders to claim a 14-12 victory.
NRL referees boss Tony Archer conceded a mistake was made but admits the fracas that ensued was a distraction for the on-field referees.
"The conversion was taken from a position several metres wider than it should have been taken," Archer said.
"Players from both sides became involved in a small fracas following the ball being grounded by Melbourne Storm, and the conversion was taken from the position where the referee dealt with that fracas.
"While the circumstances were unique, it is a reminder that all officials need to be vigilant around every aspect of the game."
The incident occurred while Canberra fullback Jack Wighton was in the sin bin for a professional foul, with Blair slicing through the 12-man defensive line and running around closer to the posts to better the position for his skipper.
However referees Matt Cecchin and Alan Shortall sent it to the bunker to review for a possible obstruction, and were also sidetracked by an all-in push and shove that erupted behind the Raiders' in-goal area.
The break in play and the distraction of the two teams coming together saw Cecchin incorrectly point to the spot after it was deemed to be a try, forcing Smith to take his crucial kick 10 metres in from the sideline instead of 15 metres to the left of the uprights.
The Storm skipper and bench were unaware of the error at the time and didn't raise it with the match officials, who all missed it in the chaos of the events that unfolded nearby.
However, Melbourne officials in the stands picked up on it and have been left concerned by the decision.
Had Smith's miss cost the Storm victory, that concern would be replaced with outrage, however they managed to hold on to a two-point lead for the final four minutes to set up a mouth-watering showdown against the Sharks.
Referees Ben Cummins and Gerard Sutton are widely considered the best two referees in the game, however the officiating of the controversial Broncos-Titans final on the opening weekend of the play-offs has cast doubt over Sutton's position.
Cecchin, who was the official who pointed to the spot, now faces a nervous wait to see if he will be given the whistle for the decider after his involvement in the error in Melbourne on Saturday night.
