A series of contentious calls left league greats angered after the Raiders were denied a try and reduced to 12 men in a heated showing against the Knights on Sunday.
Newcastle delivered a promising performance in front of their home crowd to defeat the 2025 minor premiers 32-12, but they did not do so without controversy.
The hosts entered the second half with a four-point advantage and a debutant on the field, with star centre Bradman Best ruled out of the game with a groin injury.
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Three minutes into the second half, the Raiders were left to farewell Savelio Tamale to the sin bin.
Tamale was given his marching orders for his efforts to stop Dominic Young from scoring a stellar try, having batted the ball into touch while holding onto the Knights star.
Savelio Tamale is sent to the sin bin for holding onto Dominic Young. Nine
Young was quick to plea with referee Adam Gee about his opponent’s action before a decision to challenge the on-field ruling was finally made. The Bunker then confirmed that Tamale would be heading to the sin bin.
“It won’t be a penalty try, but it is a professional foul,” Andrew Johns said on Nine.
“It’s 10 in the bin? That’s a bit harsh,” Billy Slater added.
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Young didn’t need long to get his name put on the try-scorers list, doing so just four minutes after Tamale was given his marching orders.
It was Canberra who were left scrambling for answers as the side feared Hudson Young could be joining his teammate in the sin bin.
Players from both teams attempt to separate Hudson Young and Dominic Young. Nine
Young was making a tackle on Dane Gagai when he was wrapped up by Young, sparking some push and shove near the touchline.
Teammates were quick to run in and separate the pair, before a replay showed the Raiders star had pulled the hair of the Knights winger.
Canberra were penalised for the incident but no players were sent to the sin bin.
Minutes later, a try for Phoenix Crossland did not please the visitors at all.
Ricky Stuart could not hide his frustration as he stood on the sidelines, with the Raiders coach left in disbelief as his men were denied four points by the Bunker due to an accidental contact by Josh Papali’i on Trey Mooney in the build-up to Zac Hosking’s try.
Raiders players react to a Knights try. Getty
“We are just looking for reasons not to give it,” Johns said as the referee signalled the Bunker was intervening with the on-field ruling.
“That is a slight bump then it is a defence error. This is ridiculous, and you know where my heart lies. That is a try.”
“I can’t believe some of these decisions that have been made,” Paul Gallen added.
Stuart bluntly told reporters that “it doesn’t matter what I think” about the call post-game. He would not elaborate on the matter any further.
Four minutes later, Greg Marzhew bagged his second try. Young added a second of his own soon after, while Ethan Strange added four points to the Raiders’ score.