‘Woah’: Epic captain’s challenge ignites Cowboys blitz
A stellar captain’s challenge left league greats in awe as the Cowboys secured their second win of the season after toppling the Sharks 30-18 in Townsville.
Trailing by six, Mackenzie Weale was steaming towards the tryline when she was stopped in her tracks by Cronulla’s Ellie Johnston, who forced the ball to come loose while moving her opponent back away from the in-goal.
Mackenzie Weale crashes over in remarkable fashion. Nine
Weale was convinced that she had grounded the ball in goal before Johnston moved her in a tackle, despite the referee saying otherwise, and called for a captain’s challenge to take place.
Senior Bunker official Kasey Badger then confirmed Weale’s view to be correct, leaving league greats stunned by the effort they had just witnessed.
“Woah, what a challenge,” Ruan Sims said in commentary on Nine.
“It looked like it had come flying out - and it did, but there was still a touch from Mackenzie’s arm.”
“A challenge for a try, how good is that,” Roosters gun Millie Elliott added.
“Ellie Johnston put everything into that ... she did what she could. That is a massive effort from Weale.”
The try kicked off a try-scoring blitz for the hosts, with Weale crashing over for a double and Alisha Foord adding four points to the scoreboard as well.
The Sharks, who scored their first points via captain Tiana Penitani-Gray, managed to hit back minutes before half-time when Georgia Hannaway crashed over.
But the visitors, who, too, were looking for their second win of the season, were unable to halt the power of the Cowboys in the final 35 minutes of the match.
Milla Elaro did try to inspire a comeback display when she bagged a double at the start of the half, but the Cowboys then hit back via Bree Chester.
Chester’s try-scoring efforts inspired a strong showing by Margot Vella, who pushed throw a brutal leg concern after an ugly tackle that sent Jaydika Tafua to the sin bin and scored in the next set.
To round out the impressive showing, Kayla Jackson crossed the tryline.
