Quote ="batleyrhino"I don't think it was a dangerous challenge, Washbrook was competing for the ball, and all three recent ex-players commentating agree. So lets assume it shouldn't have been a penalty for a dangerous challenge, and play went on. The ball goes through Ashe(?) and hits Washbrook which, given the ball was played by Ashe and is travelling back towards the Hull Line at this point is a knock on and therefore a scrum with H&F to Hull FC.
I appreciate that it's tough for a ref when things happen so quickly, and also that they will also get things wrong (much like the players), but it just looked like he was looking for an opportunity to give Saints a penalty.
I also appreicate you are a saints fan, and as such your view will be slightly different (as mine may well be if Leeds were involved) but there was enough doubt to take a look using the VR on how to restart the game, but Ganson (being Ganson) wasn't interested in that.
IMO it does the game no good to put officials in positions where they can make mistakes that will directly benefit the clubs they support, when there are sufficient officials for completely impartial ones for each game.'"
Whilst I understand where you are coming from with the challenge, ALL referees in rugby league would have given that penalty. Two of the three former pros on Sky were having an anti-Saints paddy at the time over just about any and every decision the referee made. I've never heard commentators as one sides as that before, willing Hull to win to benefit their own anti-Saints and pro Wigan/Wire allegiances. It was rather pathetic.
Ganson makes his mind up as soon as the collision happens. That collision is Washbrook who hasn't jumped colliding with Ashe. Washbrook's head goes into Ashe's legs, causing him to pivot. At that point it's dangerous whether they went for the ball or not. You won't find a ref anywhere who would disagree with that.
And all that is ignoring the rather blatant forward pass that led to Hull being in the lead at the end. It's not like Ganson was waving his Saints flag and singing 'Oh when the Saints' all afternoon. His mini crusade on forward, lateral and backwards passes in the first half didn't help Saints at all.