Melbourne skipper Harry Grant was left bemused after he was marched to the sin bin for making minor contact with kicker Daniel Atkinson during the Storm's 25-18 loss to the Sharks at AAMI Park.
In the first half, Grant made unintentional contact with Atkinson's kicking leg while trying to force an error.
As a result, referee Grant Atkins placed Grant on report and sent him to the bin for dangerous contact.
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Grant's shocked face summed up the situation perfectly, with the hooker and pundits alike dumbfounded by the call.
"Mick (Ennis) is speechless," commentator Dan Ginnane told Fox League.
Moments later, Oregon Kaufusi ran through the hole left by Grant for a try.
The four-pointer was sent up the Bunker for review before it was ruled that Kaufusi did not knock the ball on.
Speaking at half time, Kangaroos coach Mal Mening weighed in on the controversial sin bin, explaining he understands why the call was made.
"It's unintentional but the game's set a precedent and you just can't touch the leg of the kicker … I know it's harsh," he told Fox League.
Melbourne great Cooper Cronk added: "I understand why they're trying to do it … it is the world we live in at the moment."
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Speaking post-match, Grant admitted that the decision cost the Storm dearly.
In the 13th minute, William Kennedy was penalised for a hand in the ruck, allowing Nick Meaney to line up from directly in front and score the first points of the match.
Minutes later, Eliesa Katoa busted through Cronulla's defence from dummy half to extend Melbourne's lead.
Cronulla responded through Tuku Hau Tapuha in the 23rd minute with an assist from Cam McInnes.
However, the Storm was soon in again as Cameron Muster put the ball on a dime for Reimis Smith.
At the main break, the score was locked at 12-all following Kaufusi's try.
Origin contender Jesse Ramien kicked off the scoring in the second half after charging over from close range before Tyran Wishart again levelled the ledger.
With six minutes left to play, Atkinson slotted a one-point field goal. This then inspired Siosifa Talakai to crash over after Ronaldo Mulitalo caught Melbourne's short kick-off and broke the line.
Asked where things went awry for the Storm, Grant was at a loss.
"I'll have to wait and see what Bellyache (coach Craig Bellamy) makes of it," he told Fox League post-match.
"I thought we were in a really good position and probably on top at half time.
I felt comfortable (in the first half but) I think our discipline was pretty poor and we gave them a fair few opportunities that they capitalised on. I gave away a couple of penalties and they went on to score a penalty goal and a try to seal the game.
"But in saying that, we had some strong patches in our game tonight."
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