LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The NRL has once again been caught in a sticky situation that they just can't seem to shake, with fans and commentators left shaking their heads at a farcical diving incident that has marred an otherwise thrilling clash between the Melbourne Storm and Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
Despite missing their Origin stars, the Storm and Dolphins dished up a nail-biting 30-24 spectacle that had fans on the edge of their seats.
However, it was the controversy surrounding a series of alleged obstruction calls due to diving that stole the spotlight.
With 33 minutes remaining on the clock and the Storm clinging to a narrow 22-18 lead, the Dolphins were knocking on the door, putting the Melbourne defense under immense pressure.
In a critical moment on their last tackle, just 5 meters from the try line, Isaiya Katoa appeared to force a knock on from Ryan Papenhuyzen, setting the stage for a potential momentum shift.
But in a true captain's move, the Storm challenged the decision, claiming that Dolphins' lock Max Plath had obstructed Storm hooker Bronson Garlick.
The referee's decision was met with mixed reactions, with many labeling the incident as "embarrassing" and highlighting the ongoing issue of diving in the NRL.
In the end, the Storm emerged victorious in a dramatic encounter that will surely be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
As the debate around diving in rugby league continues to rage on, the NRL faces yet another challenge in maintaining the integrity of the game.