http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ces-men-go-down-in-flames-20120803-23lfc.html
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA coach Steve Price won't have a lot to argue about when he approaches referees boss Bill Harrigan about the contentious try awarded to Mitchell Pearce that sunk the Dragons last night.
Before Roosters winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck put Pearce into open space, the 19-year-old slipped in his own in-goal area and clearly grounded the ball.
Up until last season, that would've forced the Roosters into a goal-line dropout, but the rules changed at the start of 2011.
Accidental grounding of the ball no longer constitutes a goal-line dropout, hence the referees' refusal to send the decision up to the video referee. But Price was mystified by the decision of the two referees not to award a goal-line dropout with the Dragons trailing 14-10, ending their hopes of a from-behind win.
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''At 14-10 we get a kick into the in-goal line, which I'll have to have a look at, then they run 100 metres and score,'' Price said.
''I felt we were getting all the momentum at that stage and they get a runaway [try]. He touched the ground twice. It's something I'll need to have a look at and review it and speak to Bill and Stuart.''
Not even veteran Dragons skipper Ben Hornby, who pleaded with the referee to send it upstairs, was aware the rule had been changed.
''I asked what the rule was, too, to be honest,'' Hornby said. ''I didn't know what the rule was either. He said it was play on, so what could I do? There was not much I could do.''
Roosters coach Brian Smith conceded the ball was grounded by Tuivasa-Sheck, but unknowingly urged the game's officials to consider changing the rule 18 months after they'd already done so.
''I think he did ground the ball but I personally have an issue with that anyway,'' Smith said. ''When you accidentally ground the ball like that
for Ben Barba or Roger Tuivasa-Sheck or whoever, we're actually taking something out of game when we don't let those guys get up and attack from there.
''Anyway, all that's garbage to what the boys did out there tonight. It was fantastic.''
The 16-point loss has raised further uncertainty around the Dragons' No.6 jersey, with Jamie Soward today rolling out for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup against Mounties at WIN Stadium.
Nathan Fien's kicking game was first class in Soward's absence last night, but the Dragons lacked the spark in attack needed to challenge for a top-eight berth.
Price, who will be a keen onlooker at WIN Stadium today, refused to elaborate on Soward's future.
''I'll be definitely going to watch Jamie tomorrow,'' he said. ''I don't want to add any more speculation. There's been enough said about Jimmy. ''The two of us know what's most important, and I think we'll just leave it at that''
St George Illawarra were a shadow of the team that rattled the Melbourne Storm seven days earlier, only penetrating the rock-solid Roosters defence when down to 12 men.
Price was critical of his side's execution, having had enough opportunities to win the game. ''They were there to be beaten, but through our lack of execution at times
we had two forward passes that could've led to tries if we executed properly,'' Price said.
