An energized Benji Marshall stated he will seek answers from the NRL following a series of "outrageous" decisions against Wests Tigers in their loss to North Queensland.
The Cowboys secured their second finals appearance in three years with a 24-10 victory at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night, though the match was filled with controversy.
Five-eighth Jarome Luai had a stunning length-of-the-field try disallowed in the first half due to a raking incident, and prop Terrell May's try was also overturned by the bunker after fullback Scott Drinkwater was impeded, even though he was meters away from the ball.
"The level of some of the refereeing decisions today was honestly outrageous, and I thought we copped the raw end of the stick all night," said Tigers coach Marshall.
"We'll be sending in a few questions and asking for a 'please explain'.
"We get penalised for contesting. They go down, take Jock Madden out (the) same thing. We get no penalty. They score.
"I feel like I need to stand up for my players because the way they're fighting, it's just not right."
Additionally, the joint venture (8-15) will be concerned about Luai, who limped off in the second half and was placed on report, meaning this was potentially his penultimate game for the club.
North Queensland (13-10) won't dwell on the controversial calls after securing their top-eight position, following South Sydney's earlier 42-22 win over Gold Coast to confirm their finals spot.
The Cowboys now sit four points ahead of ninth-placed Manly with one round left, but their performance was marred by numerous errors and a halftime deficit of 10-8.
Second-rower Heilum Luki scored a crucial try in the 53rd minute, and North Queensland added two more scores to clinch the victory.
Star halfback Tom Dearden returned from a leg injury, providing two try assists, while Luki achieved an impressive 143 run metres, a line-break, and a try.
"Just talking to him (Dearden) inside ... (he said he) felt a little bit heavy at different stages, so only upwards from here," stated Cowboys coach Todd Payten.
"We've got some work to do, and the best footy is good enough. We showed glimpses of it tonight, and that's not good enough come September."
The Cowboys opened the scoring with center Tom Chester, but Wests responded through winger Jeral Skelton, who capitalized on a Luai grubber kick.
Luai assisted winger Junior Tupou in the 30th minute, but after halftime, Luki's try restored North Queensland's lead.
A kick from Drinkwater hit the goalposts and bounced into the hands of center Jaxon Purdue, leading to Chester's second try that secured the win and helped the Cowboys achieve their first victory in Townsville since a sobering 70-point defeat to the Sydney Roosters last month.