LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a shocking twist, Rugby League legend Andrew Johns has come out with a bold claim following a controversial penalty decision that left Manly feeling hard done by.
The NRL icon has thrown his support behind Josh Aloiai, the Manly prop who found himself in hot water after a clash with Shaun Johnson during a nail-biting draw with the Warriors.
As Johnson lined up a crucial two-point field goal in the closing moments of the match, Aloiai made contact with the halfback, resulting in a match-changing penalty against Manly.
This penalty not only cost the Sea Eagles a potential victory but also led to further disappointment for Aloiai as he now faces a dangerous contact charge from the NRL.
Despite the setback, Johns has rallied behind Aloiai, arguing that the incident was not worthy of a penalty, let alone a charge.
Known for his advocacy of protecting playmakers, Johns defended Aloiai's actions as a mere accident that occurred in the heat of competition.
"I'm all for safeguarding kickers and playmakers, sometimes I may go a bit too far with it, but this wasn't a penalty," Johns expressed on Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
"He was just competing.
In the heat of competition, accidents can happen.
That's all it was - an accident."
As the matter unfolds and Aloiai faces the repercussions of the penalty fiasco, Johns' bold stance adds a layer of intrigue to the situation, stirring up debate within the Rugby League community.
One thing is for certain - in the world of Rugby League, nothing is ever cut and dry.