Greg Alexander has admitted he “wouldn’t sleep for nights” if he had made the decision the Sharks did to kick a penalty goal instead of attempting to score a try when up by four with 19 minutes to play in a subsequent loss to the Roosters.
After being awarded a penalty in the 60th minute when up 10-6, Sharks captain Wade Graham elected to take an easy two points instead of attempting to score a try.
The penalty gave the Sharks a six-point lead, but that wouldn’t be enough as the Roosters finished too strong to win 13-12 and progress to next week.
Watch every game of The 2023 NRL Telstra Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
LISTEN TO TOM TRBOJEVIC ON THE FOX LEAGUE PODCAST BELOW
Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic joins the podcast to take a look back over his decorated journey in rugby league.
Speaking on Fox League after the match, Alexander wasn’t sure if it was the right decision.
“We’ll never know if they would have scored a try,” Alexander said.
“Looking back, if I was the Sharks side I wouldn’t sleep for nights thinking about that decision.
“Did we do the right thing? Did we have them on the rack?”
Graham defended the decision in the post-match press conference, with coach Craig Fitzgibbon backing his skipper.
“I did consider it but finals games come down to margins. If we don’t kick that goal we are losing 12-10 anyway right?” Graham said.
‘Gutsiest’ finals win ever? | 09:51
MORE NRL NEWS
ROOSTERS MIRACLE: Injury-ravaged Chooks end Sharks season in dramatic fashion
CLEARY CLINIC: Panthers ace passes legends as Warriors handed finals reality check
WARRIORS RATINGS: Johnson hole exposed as stand-in half endures finals nightmare
“Unfortunately we missed a couple of goal kicks, every point it crucial. We should have been good enough to defend six (points).”
“The lads picked the two pretty quickly. We debated it in the box but Tedesco only had 50 seconds left in the bin or something like that,” Fitzgibbon added.
“If it ends up a scrap there and you don’t get points. A converted try ahead in what was looking like a slug fest should have been enough.”
#CronullaSutherland #Sharks #Sydney #Roosters #finals #week #Sam #Walker #field #goal #rugby #league #scores
