Heart-broken Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright has blamed a video-refereeing decision for costing his side a chance to play in the NRL finals.
The Titans were beaten 23-22 in golden point by defending champions Melbourne Storm, with Cooper Cronk slotting a long-range field goal with two minutes remaining at AAMI Park.
Gold Coast needed to win and hope other results fell their way to book a place in the top eight.
Cartwright was seething over a decision with six minutes left in regular time when Titans five-eighth Aiden Sezer looked to have scored when he scooped up a loose Billy Slater ball.
However video referees Chris Ward and Justin Morgan ruled that Ben Ridge had hit the ball from Slater’s hands which meant a knock-on and no try.
The Gold Coast still tied the match up with a converted try, scored by winger Anthony Don, with two minutes left on the clock but couldn’t do anything before extra time.
“It cost us our season,” Cartwright said.
“How he came up with the decision I really don’t know.
“The refs on the field were shocked, the whole crowd was shocked.
“Our season was on the line, it’s heart-breaking, I’ve never felt like this, ever.”
Co-captain Greg Bird said that he spoke to Melbourne players on the field after the game who agreed that Ridge didn’t touch the ball.
“There must have been a secret camera angle that I didn’t see standing out on the field,” Bird said.
“I don’t know how they came up with it.”
Melbourne are set to play the minor premiers Sydney Roosters in a qualifying final next Saturday night at Allianz Stadium unless Penrith upset Manly in their final round clash on Sunday.
It was a spirited performance by both sides, the Storm fighting back from 16-6 after Titans powerhouse forward Dave Taylor scored one try and set up another in the first half.
Taylor started following the late withdrawal of Nate Myles with an ankle injury and delivered his best performance of the season.
Slater finished with two tries for the home side.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said it was an improvement on their 20-point loss to Manly last round, particularly their second half defence.
He described it as a “mixed bag”.
“It was a strange old game, there were some good parts and not so good parts so hopefully we can put it all together next week,” Bellamy said.
“We got a tough work-out there so hopefully it’s good for us coming into the next part of the season.
The Storm lost veteran five-eighth Brett Finch to a sternum injury late in the first half, and he will go for scans on Sunday.
England international Gareth Widdop is playing in their feeder side in the Queensland Cup on Sunday in his comeback from a dislocated hip in a timely return.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Carty how about you take some responsibility yourself? Wooden spoon in 2011, and missed finals the last two seasons. Many coaches have been fired with better results. Not good enough considering all the talent you have at your disposal. The titans have been underperforming for a while. The attack is predictable and defence that got us 2 top 4 finishes in 2009-10 is long gone. Tender your resignation.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
The bottom line is ... The Knights had to lose for the Titans to take 8th spot ... Decisions are made wrong and right all year long ... That was the way without the Video Ref and nothing has changed with it ... As a Storm fan I was expecting a better performance and they will have to bring their A Game to Sydney on Friday when they play the Rabbits - The only blessing is that being in the top 4 gives them a second bite at the cherry ... The losers out of the games 5th V 8th and 6th V 7th will not continue and the winners will go on to play the losers of the games between 1st and 4th and 2nd and 3rd ... There was good reason for Manly throwing their game against Penrith yesterday - SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Manly play very similar to the Roosters, who will be without JWH, although they do have a few to come back from injury - The Sea Eagles didn't want to chance their wings with the 4 Burgess Brothers, GI, Sutton and Co, to many big defenders in their ranks ... Hoping the Storm have their measure, give it their all, hold the ball, attack and defend ... But, if they don't they have enough experience on their side to find their way to the GF the long and hard way ...
Morfs
Guest
Yep, and from what I could see of the incident, there was some interference in the play the ball, resulting in Slater losing it. This happened before the Slater block & Bird dive, and should have resulted in a Storm penalty. Disclaimer: I have not seen the TV replay, so have only seen it at the stadium. None of this has been mentioned at all in the media, save for Roy Masters alluding to the difference between the Titans' acting injured, and the Storm players all but pretending they weren't cut or scratched. Nope, we'd all rather concentrate on one video ref blunder instead.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Bird was excellent in his acting ability the other night.. In the annual awards maybe they should have a "Golden pretend I got hit award". not once, but three times Bird went down with pretend injuries, twice he got rewarded and twice they scored.. proves that sometimes honesty doesn't work.. The eye incident was a pathetic act!, the nearest that tackle got to his face was the collar section of his shirt, Shame on you Birdie!.. but hey, it worked. Is anyone surprised that Cartwright blamed the refs?... "not I" screamed the multitude"!... Another farcical Golden Point game.. this has to go!. It was embarrassing to watch, Cartwright was correct when he said that both sides where off sides for the entire eight minutes of Golden point.
Meesta Cool
Guest
hey Steve, I got glasses and I saw it, maybe your's are clouded or past their effective date.!.
Nomonous
Guest
What about the last penalty where Titans received a gift for Slater block on Bird where Bird took a dive that if had been anywhere else would have received nothing. Titans scored of course to tie it up...
Morfs
Guest
So, Cartwright is (understandably) upset over that decision, but what is his view on the decision to award the penalty for a high shot on Greg Bird that led to the Titans first try? Bird gets tackled at chest height, clearly below the neck, and then grabs his eye. The refs blow a penalty. Yes, the Storm defence should have been better, but the play had been botched by the Titans until the penalty was given. Cynical, negative play from the visiting side, which continued throughout the match, and something I have not seen mentioned in any review of the game. When you resort to tricks like that, you don't deserve to win.
Pot irrer
Guest
I swear sometimes they must just press the wrong button
Vivalasvegan
Guest
He clearly knocked the ball and VR got it right... But, it is a stupid rule... We have lost the emphasis of ball security in the game. I am a Storm fan but was happy to give that a try... The Titan's player hit the ball by accident in the process of making the tackle.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
NRL video rules are that the ref makes the call and the video ref overrules only if its conclusive. I cannot see how the video ref thought the Titans player clearly struck the ball. It was NOT clear nor conclusive. Video ref screwed up IMHO. Still no reason to drop the video ref, they do more good than bad.
john badseed
Guest
bloody whinging Qlders get over the dodgy refs -love Tooves
john badseed
Guest
Maybe but you're still a shot at the title if you are in the 8. Bet (some of) the refs have clangers that bad in the semis.
nayfo
Guest
Dont blame the video ref carty as the reason why you are not in the 8, the reason why you are not in the 8 is because you played poor for most of the season.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Titans played a gutsy knock but ended up short. At least the top 4 teams look a bit less impressive from a cowboys supporter's point of view. I am hoping we play the Sharks at Allianz next week due to our ANZ hoodoo.
oikee
Guest
Hehe.
steve b
Roar Guru
Mate the refs are supposed to have top of the line tec , we have not at home however we do have frame by frame and if you have a look at it frame by frame he does not touch the ball but and hits slaters arm so mate I think you and Ward need glasses .
al
Guest
First of all the Titans had all season to play better and earn themselves a spot in the finals. And secondly, those 2 points won't make a difference anyway as the Knights are most likely going to win over the Eels today. To say that one decision cost them the season is a pathetic excuse. Reminds me of Griffin and his pathetic excuse that if the Broncos had won a few more close games they would be talking finals football now. Soft, gay coaches who can't accept their own failures.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Well I'll put my head on the chopping block - I've watched the replay and have to agree with the video ref's decision - The Titans players fingers do come into contact with the ball ... Honestly, if the on field referee was 100% sure he should have just blown the whistle and marked the spot ... There must have been some doubt in his mind and obviously there was no doubt in the mind of the video ref's ... Personally, I would not have minded the Titan's being awarded the try or even kicking for "Golden Point" ... One more Queensland team in the top 8 would have made me just as happy as a the Storm winning last night. :-)
Wozza
Guest
You certainly seem to have a thing about big beefy men in frocks oiks ....
Wozza
Guest
JUNK JUNK JUNK REFEREES.....