Warriors v Knights fallout: Analysing the three controversial bunker decisions

The Newcastle Knights’ 2026 season continues after a miraculous win over the Warriors at a sold-out Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Knights held their nerve to outlast the Warriors 12-10 to book their place in a Preliminary Final against the Penrith Panthers.

However, the match was defined by a number of controversial decisions from referee Ashley Klein and Bunker official Chris Butler.

SEN’s Jimmy Smith and Greg Alexander went through the three most controversial decisions.

Incident 1 - Leiataua knock-on (71st minute)

With eight minutes remaining, Knights captain Kalyn Ponga passes to centre Bradman Best who appears to knock the ball on. Ponga successfully overturns the decision to a Warriors knock on from Ali Leiataua via a Captain’s Challenge.

Smith: "The thumb of Ali Leiataua. Did he get a touch on the ball?"

Alexander: "Yes he did."

Smith: "Clearly?"

Alexander: "Without question."

Smith: "This is the one Warriors coach Andrew Webster said in his post-match press conference. He said that the bunker looked at it 20 times."

Alexander: "Yes, they did. I thought our video referee Chris Butler was going the Warriors' way. You could clearly see movement from the ball after it passed Leiatuaua’s thumb. It was a great challenge."

Smith: "It could’ve been determined as inconclusive and that would’ve been Warriors ball."

Alexander: "But it wasn’t."

Incident 2 - Te Maire Martin's ball strip (74th minute)

With five minutes remaining, Klein awarded a penalty to the Knights for a strip from Te Maire Martin on Greg Marzhew. The decision was upheld by Butler after the Warriors called for a Captain's Challenge.

Smith: "The Warriors were saying that it was a loose carry from Greg Marzhew. Butler disagreed."

Alexander: "I thought it was a loose carry."

Smith: "I didn’t."

Alexander: "That’s how we differ. Marzhew ran into Martin, and Martin was knocked back and levers the ball out of Marzhew. It was a loose carry."

Smith: "There’s no doubt that Martin got a touch on the ball."

Alexander: "Yes, but it was incidental. It was Marzhew’s power that forced the hand to react like it did."

Smith: "But he had a firm hold on it did Greg. So how can you call that a loose carry? Martin ripped it out with his fingers."

Incident 3 - Tyson Frizell not penalised for an apparent escort (79th minute)

With 52 seconds on the clock, makeshift Knights fullback Fletcher Sharpe comes down with a catch from a Martin bomb. Warriors centre Leka Halasima collides with Newcastle forward Tyson Frizell.

Klein’s on-field call is that Frizell was holding his ground.

The bunker is unable to overturn the decision as there is no break in play. The Warriors don’t have a Captain’s Challenge following the unsuccessful challenge on the Martin incident.

Smith: "This is the big one."

Alexander: "Ashley Klein said Frizell was just holding his ground. The bunker can’t step in unless there’s a stoppage in play. "

Smith: "There was a stoppage of play because two players were down injured. Sharpe was ready to play the ball."

Alexander: "That’s why we saw the replay."

Smith: "Exactly and that’s what has exacerbated the situation. Having said that, they still got the decision wrong. It should’ve been a penalty to the Warriors."

"However, that is a very challenging set of circumstances for Ashley Klein. There was a lot going on live."

Alexander: "The 50/50 calls that referees have to make without the assistance of the bunker are tough."

Smith: "In saying that, when the ball goes up, one of the things you should be looking at as a referee is if anyone is going to be taken out. Did anyone change their line?"

"If Frizell didn’t have his arms up, he’s going to get penalised."

The Knights play the Panthers on Sunday at Accor Stadium with the chance to make their first Grand Final since 2001.