Controversy strikes as ball hits Cowboys trainer after horror error during Parramatta win
More trainer drama has hit the NRL after a member of North Queensland's staff was in the wrong place at the wrong time during the side's one-point loss.
With 13 minutes left between the Cowboys and Eels, the score was 18-18. Mitchell Moses drove a long kick deep before Braidon Burns threw a risky ball to Semi Valemei.
Valemi dropped the ball as it dribbled behind him and then hit the trainer. Zac Laybutt dived on the loose ball before the referee blew his whistle for a mutual infringement and gave the Cowboys a play of the ball.
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"We've got another trainer scandal," caller Brenton Speed said on Nine.
Mitchell Moses protests after the ball hit the Cowboys trainer. Nine
Moses ran in to ask the trainer what happened before he was told it hit the trainer. The Eels halfback then threw his hands in the air in protest.
"Leave me out," Phil Gould said after he'd referred to a trainer incident last week as the "biggest beat up in rugby league".
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"I don't think he was expecting his team to be passing the ball five metres out from the line," he added.
Later, Nine's sideline reporter Danika Mason revealed the trainer was given a spray from Parramatta staff.
"They're obviously upset with it all, a bit of controversy playing out here," she said.
With five minutes to go, Moses hit a field goal from 35 metres out to put his side ahead.
The drama wasn't over though as the Cowboys attacked in the final seconds.
Tom Dearden threw a pass to Jake Clifford who ran threw a hole created by Jeremiah Nanai's very obvious obstruction.
The referee awarded it a try though.
"Liam Kennedy said 'Bunker, you decide' ... I don't want to make this decision," Gould said.
Eventually common sense prevailed and the Bunker ruled it no try with the Eels winning 19-18.
