'Bad call': Dolphins dudded by referee blunder in tight loss to Broncos
Updated . First published at
A touch judge's blatant mistake saw the the Dolphins robbed of a crucial 40/20 during a pivotal time in their loss to the Broncos on Friday night.
The Broncos ran out 20-12 winners and the missed call gave them a much needed boost in the 26th minute.
Michael Maguire's men were leading 10-6 when Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa booted a nicely placed 40/20 that seemed destined to beat Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo to the sideline.
READ MORE: 'Bad taste': Joey backs transfer window amid DCE saga
READ MORE: Injury fears for $800k Carlton star as Blues lose again
READ MORE: Brumbies get out of jail in dramatic late win
As the ball trickled over towards touch, a desperate effort from Cobbo pulled the ball back in-field and the Broncos regained possession through some nice work from Reece Walsh.
But replays showed Cobbo put his foot on the line as he pulled the ball back into the field of play.
And replays clearly show the sideline official lined up perfectly down the touch line, with his eyes fixed on the play to make the call - but the call never came.
Selwyn Cobbo had his foot on the line. Nine
Much to the disappointment of Dolphins fans, Walsh got past two defenders in the in-goal before finding Jesse Arthars, who somehow made it out of the in-goal area..
Within moments, the Broncos were down the other end of the field and in the 29th minute Kotoni Staggs crossed for a try to extend the lead to 16-6.
It was potentially a 12-point swing with the non-call as the Dolphins should've been attacking inside Brisbane's 20-metre zone, instead the game swung the other way as the Broncos got out of trouble twice by denying a 40/20 and a goal line drop-out.
The foot is clearly on the line as he plays at the ball. Nine
"You have got to feel for the Dolphins in the game at 10-6 and Isaiya Katoa kicks a 40/20, but the touch judge misses it," Michael Ennis said on Fox Sports.
"They go down field and Staggs out of dummy-half just to break their hearts and score a try to extend their lead."
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf was asked about the moment during the post-match press conference by a reporter, who labelled it a "bad call" which was the "turning point" of the match.
The Broncos extend their lead to 16-6 shortly after. Nine
"It's a bit hard to see from the box, I didn't see it to be honest.
"I know he had a crack at a couple but I didn't see where Cobbo's foot was. It was a bad call was it?" Woolf asked before the reporter confirmed that replays clearly showed the foot on the line.
"Well, they make big difference don't they? It's a big play. We're on the backfoot and those things go against you unfortunately."
The Dolphins are now 0-4 to start the year and play the Titans away next Saturday.
