Supporters left outraged after referee blunder costs them a chance of title.
North Queensland Cowboys fans have taken to the internet in a bid to try and get the NRL to order a replay of their side’s clash with the Cronulla Sharks.
The elimination final was marred by a refereeing call early in the eighth minute that allowed Sharks’ centre Beau Ryan score on an illegal seventh tackle, a play which changed the momentum of the match.
Making matters worse for the Neil Henry-coached side was the final score, which saw the Sharks squeak through to the next round after winning 20-18.
As a result, outraged Cowboys fave has started a petition to have the game replayed, with the movement earning the support of Queensland politicians.
NRL boss David Smith and NRL head of football Todd Greenberg apolgised after the game saying it was an error they not tolerate, saying they going to lunch a full investigation.
However, that has not stopped 20,167 from signing the petition at ‘North Queensland Cowboys: Get the Cowboys back into the finals after an appalling referee decision’.
User Jazza Vock started the petition and said she hoped some good would come from it, pointing to the large number of signatures as a sign that fans of the game, not just of the Cowboys, wanted to see a fair outcome.
“I’m hoping for some sort of appeal for the decision what was made – either a rematch or for the Sharks to be stripped of those tackle points,” she said.
“I think there’s a lot of talk about referees having action put upon them, but that doesn’t change the end result.”
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