RLGC A-grade: Tugun’s 36-34 win over Southport under dispute following late penalty controversy

Rugby League Gold Coast remains undecided on the result of an A-grade clash close to a week after the fact. Find out why.

Five days have elapsed and there is still no outcome on the disputed Rugby League Gold Coast A-grade result between Tugun and Southport.

It is understood that the league is waiting on the referee’s report and an official report from a Tugun official before it makes its final decision after all available footage was reviewed on Tuesday.

The outcome of the round 10 clash season has been shrouded in uncertainty after the Southport Tigers disputed the 36-34 result.

Southport’s dispute was the result of debate over when the full-time hooter had been blown.

A late Tigers try had levelled the scores at 34 apiece, and the following Tugun kick off was knocked on by Southport. It was then that Southport players believed the full-time hooter had been blown and could be heard pleading their case while Tugun packed the scrum.

Southport players plead that the full-time hooter had been blown in their round 10 Rugby League Gold Coast clash with Tugun. Picture: BarTV Sports.

The referee didn’t call full-time and allowed play to continue before Tugun was awarded a penalty in the ensuing set close to two minutes later.

The displeasure of Southport players and fans alike was abundantly clear as they continued to protest that the hooter had been blown and hooker Jordan Scott even kicked the kicking tee away after Tugun’s trainer placed it down, before Kane Elgey converted to put the Seahawks two points in front.

Southport’s Jake Fitzgerald was also sent off amid the late drama after dishing some choice words on the referee. It was the second time Fitzgerald was sent off this season after he copped a three-week suspension in round six for a late shot on a Currumbin kicker.

RLGC is not believed to have committed to a deadline for resolving the dispute.