But press on they did.
And, if I remember correctly, the final report said nothing about the decision to return to Perth despite the captain being motivated to recommend prayer.
The report agreed with the decision making in the return to Perth due to a variety of reasons. I mean the engine was practically jumping on the wing, however great job on continuing. Now if it fell off, or severe airframe damage occurred as a result, then I guess they would throw them under the bus.
The crews who essentially failed their own engine due to incompetence near Alice Springs, rightly so got crucified for the decision to press on both in the internal and the atsb report.