The Dally M Coach of the Year award is decided on regular-season performances, not finals results.
That rule did little to ease Newcastle Knights supporters' anger after Warriors coach Andrew Webster won the 2026 award ahead of Justin Holbrook.
Holbrook had taken Newcastle from last season's wooden spoon to the NRL Grand Final within 12 months, but missed out on the coaching honour.
One fan asked, "How the f- didn't Justin Holbrook get coach of the year taking team from spoon to Grand final?"
Another wrote, "I'm sorry andrew webster but HOLBROOK WAS ROBBED!"
A supporter who praised Webster's work for New Zealand also argued Holbrook had been dudded, saying, "I love Webster and everything he's done for NZ, but Holbrook has been absolutely dudded. Wooden spoon to a Grand final. What the f-?"
Despite the snub, Newcastle's focus is Sunday night's match against the Roosters at Accor Stadium.
The article suggested a win would matter more to the Knights, their players and Holbrook than the award.