NRL great Greg Alexander was stunned that Tigers second-rower Isaiah Papali'i was permitted to stay on the park after he was penalised and placed on report for tripping Leo Thompson during his side's 20-14 loss to the Knights.
In the first half of the wet weather clash at Tamworth's Scully Park, Papali'i stuck his foot out as Thompson found a clear path to the Tigers' tryline.
League commentators Alexander and Steve Roach were left bewildered the act was not labelled a professional foul.
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"That's a shocker that one, that could break your shins … that's a professional foul isn't it?," Roach told Fox League at the time.
Alexander added: "Can't get any more blatant than that".
Speaking at half-time, Alexander continued to voice his confusion.
"[The Knights] were that close to the try line and [Papali'i] was beaten. [Thompson] also beat Api Koroisau," he said.
"Api Koroisau would've been struggling to make the tackle on Leo Thompson, so I regard that one — and we've seen other trips that don't get sent to the bin which I don't think should — but that one should've been in the bin.
"That was a professional foul. He was only six metres away from the tryline, he was into space, he'd beaten both players, and the foot was stuck out to stop him from going any further.
"He might've got to the tryline. That should've been a bin situation."
Moments earlier, Papali'i was the hero when he opened the scoring for the Tigers in the 16th minute after being sent over with a close-range pass from Jayden Sullivan.
While Papali'i remained on the field after his act, referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski sent Jahream Bula to the sin bin for a professional foul after he stripped the ball once his tackle on Dylan Lucas was complete.
The Knights subsequently responded through Greg Marzhew before Enari Tuala streamed over on the stroke of half time to give Newcastle an 8-6 lead at the main break.
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The clash was marred by injuries with both sides suffering casualties.
In his return from a long layoff with an ankle injury, Tigers centre Starford To'a lasted just 14 minutes after suffering a right hamstring injury.
To'a was attempting to chase down a grubber, and was only metres away from the line, when he pulled up and immediately grabbed at his hamstring.
The 23-year-old did not return.
During the half time break, the Tigers also ruled out John Bateman with a pec injury while Tyson Gamble succumbed to a foot injury.
In the second half, David Armstrong and Bradman Best extended the Knights' lead.
Papali'i notched a double to keep the Tigers in touch.
The Knights were reduced to 12 men when prop Daniel Saifiti was marched to the bin for a shoulder charge on Jake Simpkin.
Tigers centre Brent Naden crossed over to set up a grandstand finish with the Tigers awarded a full set of six from their own line. But ultimately, their run was left too late as the clock ticked down.
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