Knights centre Dane Gagai was penalised for dissent against the run of play after screaming an obscenity as he took exception to a tackle from Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai.
The costly penalty led to a try against the run of play as the Panthers went on to win 16-15 in a golden point epic.
The Knights led 8-2 in the 20th minute when Gagai fumed as he got to his feet following a tackle from Luai, but was penalised for dissent by referee Peter Gough in a costly blunder.
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“Dane Gagai giving the referee a spray,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League.
“And still going.”
“What a mistake this could prove to be,” Warren Smith added.
“They were a perfect 10 from 10 before that as far as completed sets are concerned.
“A big mistake here as they worked it away from their own end.”
Gagai allegedly said, “F**k me dead,” but Gough wasn’t buying the Knights star and skipper Tyson Frizell’s assertion it wasn’t directed at the referee.
“No don’t start mate,” Gough said.
“You know what happens. That’s the way it has been taken.”
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Compounding the penalty against the run of play, the Panthers got a six-again and scored off the ensuing set through Brian To’o to cut the deficit to 8-6.
“What a turn of events here in the last 60 seconds,” Smith said.
“To’o scores for the Panthers, they don’t waste the chance to hit straight back.
“Dane Gagai had a lot to say. He might be a bit quiet now behind the try line.
“It is hard to believe. They were perfect for the first 20 minute plus. Then that gives the Panthers a chance.
“We might be talking about that dissent penalty for some time to come depending on how this one plays out.”
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Ennis blasted Gagai’s brain fade, which brought the Panthers back into the contest.
“The Newcastle Knights would have said all week we need to start well and we cannot give this Panthers side anything at home,” Ennis said.
“And it is their experienced man Dane Gagai mouthing off at the referee and giving away possession 30 metres out and all of a sudden the Panthers with a chance to level up.
“Who would have thought? It was all Newcastle five minutes ago and what an enormous penalty that was form Dane Gagai.”
James Hooper noted Gagai’s coach Adam O’Brien would have been fuming over the unneeded penalty against the run of play.
“Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien will be absolutely livid with Dane Gagai,” James Hooper said.
“He gives away the penalty while the Knights are in possession for dissent.
“He has clearly given the referee a spray there and he didn’t appreciate it.”
The try proved costly as the Knights lost 16-15 in a golden point thriller.
