LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a stunning turn of events, Kalyn Ponga found himself at the center of controversy as the Panthers secured a thrilling victory over the Knights, with Nathan Cleary sealing the deal with a winning try.
Fans were scratching their heads as the Panthers seemed to benefit from two fortunate calls during the intense battle for the minor premiership title against the Storm.
The Knights put up a valiant fight at BlueBet Stadium, but the momentum shifted with two critical moments that favored the visiting Panthers.
The first call, involving Isack Tago's high tackle on Ponga, left Knights and Tigers supporters simmering with frustration.
Despite the potential for a sending off, Tago escaped with just a penalty as the game continued.
Then came Ponga's ill-advised pass that ended up in the hands of Brian To'o, who dashed away for a crucial try.
The excitement was short-lived as the bunker intervened, ruling that Tago's tackle on Ponga was illegal and forceful, leading to a penalty for the Knights - but no sin-bin punishment for Tago.
Comparisons were drawn to recent high-tackle incidents, particularly the one that saw Justin Olam being sent off in a previous match.
The controversial calls added fuel to an already tense game, leaving fans questioning the fairness of the decisions.
In the unpredictable world of Rugby League, sometimes luck plays a bigger role than skill in determining the outcome.