'No reward': Andrew Johns' plea to NRL after controversial Harry Grant penalty

Andrew Johns has called for the rule covering contact on kickers to be reviewed after the game-defining penalty against Harry Grant that effectively gifted the Sea Eagles victory over the Storm.

With the scores locked up at 16-all in the dying moments, Grant charged out of the Storm line in an attempt to charge down a Luke Brooks field goal.

Well after the Steeden left Brooks' boot, Grant came through and made contact, albeit light, with the Manly gun's leg. The kick sailed wide of the posts.

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Initially missed by referee Wyatt Raymond, the Bunker intervened and awarded the penalty. Because it was a penalty on a drop-goal attempt, the resulting kick was taken from dead in front 10m out.

Speaking on Nine's Sunday Footy Show, Brad Fittler pointed out the spotlight has been focussed on Grant the most since his controversial incident on Cronulla's Daniel Atkinson last season.

"I think if you asked Harry, he'd realise he did wrong and (the incident) cost the team the game," he said.

"There was discussion about it (after the Atkinson incident) and pretty much everyone now is of the understanding you don't touch the kicker's leg."

Johns agreed it was a penalty by the letter of the law, but argued the broader rule around pressure on the kicker needed to be reviewed because there is now "no reward for a really good defensive set".

He gave the example of an attacking team taking their fifth takle on their own 30m line.

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"In years gone by if it was a slow play-the-ball, the kicker would have to be back 10-15m, which means you'd get the ball and bring it back to your 40 ... then you'd get down and get a repeat set," he explained.

"Nowadays, if you get a bad attacking set and a slow play the ball, the kicker stands on the advantage line and kicks at 60m because they know they can't get hit."

Johns said defenders, whether they be from marker or the line, should be allowed to tackle the kicker above the waist.

"I just think it's gone way too far, because there's no reward for controlling the ruck or a really good defensive set where you can get out and really pressure the kicker," he said.

Although he was put on report, Grant's name was missing from the match review committee's charge sheet when it was released on Sunday morning.

Speaking to media post-game, Storm coach Craig Bellamy chose his words carefully when asked about the incident.

"I suppose within the rules say, that's what it was," he said.

"I think Hughesy (Jahrome Hughes) sort of copped one (too), it obviously wasn't for a field goal, but as I say at the end of the day, commenting on it ain't going to change it, so it is what it is."

He was then asked about perceived inconsistent adjudicating on pressire on the kicker, Bellamy was coy.

"You can say that (there is inconsistency), but I can't say that. I might get fined."