A cunning ploy, ‘bordering on illegal’, devised by a former referee paved the way for Mitchell Pearce’s match-winning field goal for Newcastle.
Three Knights players stood close to the dummyhalf as the ball was played in the final minute with the scores locked at 14-all.
The trio made it harder for defenders running towards Pearce to charge down the kick and he had time to pot the decisive field goal.
The ploy was devised by former NRL referee Adam Devcich, who has been working with the Knights for the past two seasons.
“Had they been in a straight line forming a wall, it should have been a penalty to Gold Coast and then extra time,” another former referee, Luke Phillips, told Wide World of Sports.
“But because they were staggered, there is no law against it.
“The ploy was bordering on illegal but within the rules. It shows the advantage of having a former referee on staff, which most of the smart clubs have these days.”
The last-gasp win ensures that the Knights will play finals football this season while the Titans are now in a dogfight for eighth spot with several other teams.
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