‘It’s ridiculous’: Knights coach Adam O’Brien goes nuclear as sin bin drama divides NRL

A golden point thriller has left Knights coach Adam O’Brien seeing red after a controversial decision that happens in almost every game.

Adam O'Brien was furious. Photo: Fox Sports

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has unloaded on the referee Gerard Sutton after a heartbreaking 19-18 golden point loss to the Sharks all but ended Newcastle’s season.

After leading 18-10 ten minutes after halftime, a 63rd minute penalty goal and 72nd minute try to Ronaldo Mulitalo drew the Sharks level while both sides booted field goal only to be denied by Sutton due to blockers.

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However, a Daniel Atkinson field goal at the end of the first half of extra-time was enough as the Sharks hold on to fourth spot on the NRL ladder.

But O’Brien was furious after halfback Phoenix Crossland was sensationally sin binned right on the halftime siren, called out for a flop and holding down the play in the seconds before the bell.

Two plays earlier, Crossland had held down the Sharks, giving away a six again.

So when he flopped in and held on to try and kill the play, referee Gerard Sutton blew a penalty and sin binned Crossland.

On Channel 9, Andrew Johns initially said: “Oh what”.

But Sutton explained it to an exasperated Knights captain Kalyn Ponga, saying: “He flops in deliberately so they don’t get to play before halftime.”

“I totally agree,” Johns said. “He did it two plays before he held him down and he had six to go. I think he flopped in deliberately to try to get it to halftime. Whether it’s a sin bin, I don’t know. But this is a penalty, without doubt. It’s a big call for sin bin.”

Sutton gave Crossland his marching orders. Photo: Fox Sports

At the break, Sharks legend Paul Gallen hit out at the decision.

“I’m happy for the Sharks,” Gallen said. “He (Crossland) did that on purpose, there’s no doubt about that.

“But are they going to be consistent with it for the rest of the year? If that was 10 or 15 minutes into the game, are they sending him for 10 minutes? I don’t think so, I think they’d just rule six to go.

“I think it’s a massive call, I don’t agree with it. Unless they’re going to be consistent with it, they can’t bring it in this week and then next week not continue to do it. I can’t 100 per cent agree with that one, no.”

Ruan Sims added: “That is the key, consistency. If they can be consistent and make that call every time, then I’m OK with it. But still, 10 minutes. It’s definitely a penalty, not even a six again, definitely a penalty.”

On Fox Sports, Michael Ennis said he thought it was “the right call” after Crossland had been warned with the six again earlier in the set.

Warren Smith said it was “as cynical as it gets”.

Corey Parker added it was “as silly as it gets”, while Cooper Cronk also agreed with the call.

Adam O'Brien was furious. Photo: NRL

But O’Brien was furious, blasting the call,

“I’d be shocked if anyone agreed with the decision,” O’Brien said.

“That was the third infringement for the half. I think we had one for off-side at a scrum, which happens a lot, and we only had one for slowing the ruck down.

“And on the third one, he puts a bloke in the bin. Is that a harsh standard? That’s just the third infringement for the game and he goes to the bin.

“I haven’t seen that all year. This team’s fighting to stay in the competition and then you get that done to you. Fairdinkum, it’s ridiculous.”

Fortunately for the Knights, they didn’t concede any points during the 10 minute period, instead kicking six points further ahead thanks to a penalty goal followed by a Dane Gagai try.

But the fatigue set in for the Knights late in the game.

It wasn’t the only judgement call that upset the Knights coach.

In a chaotic finish to regular time, both side’s had winning field goal attempts denied by obstruction calls.

The Knights were called for blockers. Photo: Fox Sports

And then the Sharks were called. Photo: Fox Sports

“I thought Kalyn’s kick was fine,” O’Brien said of his skipper’s kick in the 77th minute with the scores locked at 18-all.

“And I thought Cronulla’s was a field goal as well. The rule was explained to us over summer, but Graham Annesley (NRL head of football) will find a way to dress it up.”

Now sitting in 11th place on 24 points, Newcastle remain four points adrift of eighth spot with three rounds remaining.

They tackle the Rabbitohs next week, and even if they round out the season with a perfect record, they’re finals hopes will come down to other results falling their way.

With Jason Hosken, NewsWire