Darwin Dragons denied spot in Darwin Rugby Union prelim final

A critical after the buzzer refereeing error has knocked a rugby side out of finals, despite the side kicking the winning points. Find out what happened.

A controversial refereeing mistake on the buzzer has denied the Darwin Dragons a spot in the A-grade preliminary final.

The Dragons were chasing a 21-20 deficit in the final play of the game against their semi-final foes the South Darwin Rabbitohs, when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts.

The side opted to take the penalty with the full time siren already blown and with the three points enough to send them ahead another week into a match against Casuarina Cougars.

However, as the Dragons’ fullback and kicker Lachlan Raychaudhuri went forward to strike the ball the referee blew his whistle deciding the shot clock’s 60 seconds had elapsed.

The full time whistle was blown shortly after and though Raychaudhuri’s kick ultimately sailed through the posts it did not count towards the score.

Souths players celebrated the result realising they had come away with the win, while Dragons’ players and supporters were left in a state of confusion.

Darwin Dragons A-grade kicker slotting the penalty that would've won his side a semi-finals berth. Picture: NTRU.

A review following the game found the shot clock’s timer, which begins when a team indicates their intention to take a penalty, had not gone the full 60 seconds.

However, as the full time whistle had been blown there is no way for the result of the match to be overturned.

Dragons’ president and Number 8 Hirini Murfitt said he had requested an immediate review of the game before the night’s end.

“A decision was made in a critical time of the game that ultimately ended our season,” he said.

“We acknowledge that the referee made a mistake which has ultimately cost the team a shot at a grand final opportunity.

“It was a technicality in the rule book and a mistake that the referee blew full time before he should have.

“We can take away the fact that we never lost and it has given the team and the club a sense of unfinished business, and that we’re hungrier than ever to come back next season.”

Murfitt said his side had received the review from the NTRRA on Tuesday afternoon that confirmed a mistake had been made and the referees had taken full responsibility.

Darwin Dragons president Hirini Murfitt said his side were disappointed by the result but understood the circumstances. Picture: Che Chorley

“We acknowledge and are grateful that they’ve taken responsibility, but unfortunately it still means that our season ended prematurely,” he said.

“There’s a feeling of frustration, confusion and anger among the community and our club.

“But while this is frustrating, we understand that the decision cannot be revoked and that it was a mistake.

“And we also acknowledge that refereeing is a tough job and without them we wouldn’t have a game, so we are grateful for the refs, it’s just unfortunate that this mistake was made.”

NTRU chief executive Nathan McDonald said the league recognised an error had been made.

“We acknowledge a match official error was made at a high pressure point during the game,”

“However, the NTRU will always support our match officials.

“They are hardworking and dedicated people who love our game and are required to make hundreds of decisions across any given fixture.

“It’s difficult to imagine these pressures until you’re out in the middle and we would strongly encourage more members of our community to pick up a whistle and join our match official team.”