Controversial bunker decision costs Warriors as Titans break home win drought

The Gold Coast Titans have secured their first home win since round 6 last year after defeating the New Zealand Warriors 16-12 in a tight contest.

Despite trailing 12-0 after a disastrous start, the Titans wrestled back momentum and notched three unanswered tries to come out victorious at Cbus Stadium.

However, the Warriors might count themselves unlucky following a controversial no-try decision that occurred late in the first half when they were leading 12-6.

Warriors loan forward Jack Hetherington pounced on a loose ball after Jamal Fogarty was unable to gain possession following a horror offload from teammate Bryce Cartwright.

But Hetherington was denied his first NRL try when the bunker ruled he didn't give Fogarty an opportunity to regather the ball.

Replays showed it might've been a harsh decision to take the try away due to Fogarty gaining possession but then immediately losing it just moments before Hetherington attempted to make a tackle.

NRL great Steve Roach said on Fox League's commentary that Hetherington couldn't have done anything else.

"But you're not knowing that the ball's not going to bounce up into his hands. It would've had he not knocked it back," he said.

"I reckon that's play on. He had two hands on the footy and then lost it. What are you supposed to do?"

Broncos great Corey Parker added: "I thought that was play on."

"He wasn't to know the ball wasn't in his arms."

Former NRL star Jamie Soward took to social media to voice his displeasure at the decision.