NRL referees’ disgraceful record

North Queensland star Jonathan Thurston wasn't happy with the referees last night. Source: AAP

THE NRL's incompetent referees have managed to rob three teams of victory in just 12 days.

The disgraceful run of howlers started in Melbourne on April 6, when the Gold Coast Titans were awarded a matchwinning penalty in the final minute of play against the Storm.

HOWLER ONE: Melbourne vs. Gold Coast

Titans prop Luke Douglas dropped the ball cold in a three-man tackle, but officials Ben Cummins and Brett Suttor ruled that it had been stripped out.

"I know it's a Storm crowd, but I think most people would be reasonably upset with that penalty," Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said after the match. He doesn't usually have such a talent for understatement.

It hasn't been all bad for the Storm though. Bellamy's players benefited from another ridiculous error five days ago, when they were allowed to play on after full-time to steal victory from the Dragons. This time, the lead referee was Matt Cecchin.

HOWLER TWO: Melbourne vs. St George Illawarra

"Technically, the siren sounded a split second before the Melbourne player 'heeled' the ball. So, in that sense, the referee's call was wrong and the final play should not have proceeded," the NRL said later in a rather bland press release.

The Dragons were so infuriated by the mistake that they asked the league to award them two competition points, despite the official result of the match. That request was slapped down.

Then, last night, a third act was added to the horror show. With North Queensland leading Manly 20-14 in Gosford, and less than 10 minutes left to play, Kieran Foran barged over the line to score the crucial, match-levelling try.

HOWLER THREE: Manly vs. North Queensland

Officials Gavin Badger and Adam Devcich missed two obvious infringements in the build-up. First, Manly fullback Brett Stewart passed the ball about a metre forward. It rebounded off a Cowboy, was picked up by the Sea Eagles, and they restarted the tackle count.

Then, a blatant obstruction by Manly's Jamie Buhrer was inexplicably ignored by video referees Bernard Sutton and Paul Mellor, who awarded Foran's try.

It was a gutsy win from Manly, who went into the match without star half-back Daly Cherry-Evans, and had to come from behind again after Jonathan Thurston kicked a field goal with five minutes left. But without that huge piece of charity from the referees, North Queensland would almost certainly have closed the game out.

Cowboys fans have been complaining about a supposed refereeing conspiracy against their team for several years now. If you couldn't understand why they felt that way after the infamous "seven tackle set" in last season's finals series, you certainly can now.

MORE: Cowboys robbed by seven tackle set

The conspiracy theory doesn't stack up though, because North Queensland isn't the only team being dudded. We've only pointed out the most flagrant examples of refereeing incompetence here. There are smaller incidents in practically every NRL game.

The referees aren't just infuriating hardcore fans anymore. Their mistakes are losing matches. Three teams have been robbed in the last 12 days, and that simply isn't good enough.

What do you think? Comment below, or talk to us on Twitter: @SamClench | @newscomauHQ | #NRLmannql

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