Only one NRL trial match is in the books for 2025, but a try has already been denied due to the Bunker ruling obstruction.
The NRL announced on Tuesday that in 2025 match officials would rule with discretion in its interpretation of obstruction in a bid to stamp "milking" out of the game, rather than making black and white calls.
But in the Sharks' pre-season clash with the Warriors on Friday night, which ended in a 12-all draw, Cronulla was disallowed a try when the Bunker ruled a Warriors defender had been obstructed.
Taj Ford burst onto a Riley Pollard ball from close range and dotted down, but the try was denied because the Bunker deemed Blake Hosking had obstructed Jett Cleary, who hit the turf.
Wide World of Sports is not suggesting Cleary milked the contact, rather merely pointing out the NRL's ongoing obstruction rigmarole.
The Sharks were disallowed a try because of an obstruction call. Fox League
Storm and Roosters legend Cooper Cronk is dubious about the league's crackdown on milking.
"I know it's the first game, but I'm a little bit worried about this diving rule when it starts coming into play, because the Bunker is going to be under all sorts of pressure to determine if a player has dived or been impeded, and it's going to cause a lot of controversy," Cronk said on the Fox League broadcast.
"They're trying to unscramble an egg," added Fox League caller Andrew Voss.
"… We've almost trained our players to, when they feel the slightest touch, lose their balance."
Cronk said it would be "very hard" to eradicate milking out of the game through match officials ruling with discretion.
"The way you get it out of our game, and stop the players from diving, is charge them a fine through the match review committee," Cronk added.
"Charge the first one, and they won't do it again."
The Sharks were denied a try in the 71st minute but scored a four-pointer through Hohepa Puru less than five minutes later, which Mawene Hiroti converted to draw Cronulla even.
Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was ruled out of the game early after suffering a wrist injury, which renowned sports physiotherapist Brien Seeney said could be a fracture.
Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had ice strapped to his right leg post-match, but he told Fox League it was only due to cramping.
Nicoll-Klokstad produced a phenomenal performance in the No.1 jumper, racking up 179 run metres, seven tackle busts, one linebreak, a try assist and a try of his own.
