Contentious Manly penalty correct

The controversial penalty which led to Manly's game-winning penalty goal against Penrith has been deemed correct in the weekly NRL referees report.

Panthers forward Frank Puletua was penalised for a late hit on Matt Orford when the Manly halfback was kicking downfield in the 73rd minute of Sunday's match at Brookvale Oval. Referee Jason Robinson initially called "clear" after seeing the tackle, but then acted on a tip from video referee Steve Clark to award the penalty.

Travis Burns duly potted a 15-metre penalty goal to secure a 32-30 win for home side, with Puletua later claiming he was a victim of a "crowd penalty". Referees boss Robert Finch, however, in his weekly review said the penalty was correct, and also ruled Clark's input from the box correctly followed N-R-L guidelines with the video replays not used in the decision.