Dragons survive massive scare to down Tigers in golden point and lock in finals appearance

TIGERS coach Jason Taylor says the referees won’t be afraid to crush a club’s season with controversial calls as the Dragons book a semi-final spot in a thriller.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Josh Dugan of the Dragons is tackled during the round 26 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on September 5, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

WESTS Tigers coach Jason Taylor believes a warning has been sent to all eight teams in next week’s finals by the NRL that referees are no longer afraid to crush a club’s season by blowing a controversial penalty in golden-point extra-time.

That was how the Tigers’ sorry season ended when skipper Robbie Farah was deemed offside by referee Matt Cecchin as St George Illawarra’s Benji Marshall attempted a field goal in the 84th minute of extra-time last night.

Josh Dugan’s dramatic after-the-siren penalty conversion secured the Dragons victory, eighth spot on the ladder and their first finals appearance since 2011.

VIDEO: Is this Farah’s last act as a Tiger?

VIDEO: Dugan’s goal kicking stinkers

The Dragons’ win also ensured ninth-placed Manly miss out on the finals for the first time since 2004.

Should Cronulla beat the Sea Eagles, Saints will most likely play Melbourne at AAMI Park in week one of the finals.

Despite witnessing his side’s incredible fightback from 30-8 with 20 minutes remaining to then level the scores 30-30 all through a David Nofoaluma intercept in the 78th minute, Taylor conceded the Farah penalty was deserved, but not before declaring the bar has now been set for match officials to determine a finals result via a penalty.

“I think Robbie is slightly to the side, so he probably took that risk,’’ Taylor said.

“I’m keen to go back and look at where their players were on the ones (field goal attempts) that we missed.

“The first thing I thought of (after fulltime) was that it’s clear there’s a standard been set there because we’re going to have some of those (in the finals), aren’t we.

“We’re going to have some of those field goal contests. It’s probably a warning to teams.

“It’s always been said over the years that when it gets to the drawn game either in extra time or the last few minutes that the rules do go out the window and we were probably hoping that would remain.’’

Farah added: “It’s a tough call in the circumstances.

“I didn’t think it was that bad to be honest. But it will be interesting to see what happens in the semis.’’

Asked if would encourage referees to make the same match-defining call during the finals, St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor gave an adamant response.

“Absolutely,’’ McGregor said. “It’s the difference between winning or losing.

“If he doesn’t get pressured he kicks the field goal, possibly. I think you’ve got to encourage referees to call what they see.’’

The Dragons were in complete control of the match at halftime leading 20-8 with first-half tries to Dugan, Eto Nabuli, Euan Aitken and Tyson Frizell.

And despite the Tigers second-half comeback, McGregor said he was “full of praise” for his players from where they “have come from since October last year.’’

“Now we’re in the eight.’’

The Dragons finished with injury concerns to Nathan Green (knee) and Frizell with an ankle problem.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 32 (E Aitken 2 J Dugan T Frizell E Nabuli J Nightingale tries J Dugan 4 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 30 (P Richards 2 L Brooks D Nofoaluma J Tedesco A Woods tries P Richards 3 goals) in golden-point extra time at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Gavin Morris. Crowd: 17,685

Originally published as Dragons survive massive scare to down Tigers in golden point and lock in finals appearance