Bulldog scores barely there try

Rugby league players don’t need to cross the try-line to score a four-pointer - they don’t even need to take a majority of the white line.

Just ask Canterbury Bulldogs' Tim Lafai.

The 24-year-old scored one on the most contentious NRL tries of the season when he needed just one blade of white grass to score against the St George Illawarra Dragons in the clubs' round 13 clash on Monday.

Chasing the game 10-16 in the second half, the Bulldogs sent the ball wide on the fourth tackle to Brett Morris.

The winger, being pushed across the sideline by the covering defence, was able to sneak a pass inside to Lafai who miraculously juggled the ball before reaching out for the line.

Referee Gerard Sutton immediately went to the video referee, ruling a no try on the field.

But the slow motion replays were the perfect examples of just how little of the line the ball needs to touch to be awarded a try.

Stretching out, Lafai just touches the white paint with the point of the ball before rival defenders are able to pull the ball up and off the try line.

"There's enough evidence here to say try or no try," Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss said.

"What do you reckon at home?"

Video referee Shayne Hayne believed the ball had indeed "crossed" the line and reversed the on-field decision.

The converted try proved to be a turning point in the game with the Bulldogs going on to down the high-flying Dragons 29-16.