Referee Grant Atkins has been involved in a controversial try after Ezra Mam went down before attempting a tackle on Connor Tracey before he scored.
Tracey’s try came in a monumental upset with the Bulldogs smashing the Broncos 41-16 at Suncorp Stadium.
The four-pointer made it 26-10 in the second half, with the Bulldogs attacking down the left side. Mam attempted to come across in cover defence but was captured sliding on the ground with his hands up.
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Atkins awarded the try before saying to the Bunker: “There might be incidental contact with me and Mam, my live decision is still try scored.”
“I reckon he was in a position to make a tackle there,” Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach said on Fox League.
Commentator Andrew Voss added: “That’s an unusual one for the player to be taken out by the referee behind the player, it’s a trip, an accidental trip.”
The incident hardly made a difference with the Bulldogs putting forward a stunning performance.
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Brisbane had almost a full strength squad but were shellshocked early when the Bulldogs were out to a 16-0 lead with Bronson Xerri, Tracey and Jeral Skelton all scoring.
Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs kept the Broncos in the hunt, scoring before half time as the Broncos trailed 16-10.
However, it was all the away side after the break.
Viliame Kikau and Jacob Kiraz all scored while Tracey bagged his hat trick in the second half.
Martin Taupau scored a consolation try late before Matt Burton kicked a field goal to seal a 41-16 victory.
The Broncos are now in a position where they must win all their games to make finals after making the grand final last year.
“They are in dire straits,” Cooper Cronk said post-game.
“They’ll struggle to make the eight,” Mal Meninga added.
