The Knights' elimination final campaign came to a screeching halt after a costly high shot by Leo Thompson gifted the Cowboys a free card into the next elimination final. Some early brilliance by Kalyn Ponga wasn’t enough to save the Knights from defeat, as a crucial Reuben Cotter try followed by a Leo Thompson sin bin sealed the deal. Thompson is facing a nervous wait for the findings of the Match Review Committee (MRC) after being sent to the sin bin during Newcastle's loss to North Queensland in their elimination final.

With just two minutes remaining in the clash and the Knights down by six points, Thompson flew out of the line to try and put a hit on Feldt. However, the winger slipped before the contact was made with the prop collecting Feldt high. The tackle caused an all-in melee with the Cowboys taking exception to the tackle. Players from both sides charged into a melee with Thompson eventually sent to the bin after things had calmed down. The Cowboys then rubbed salt into the wound in the following set as Tom Dearden sliced his way through a tiring and disadvantaged defensive line to seal the 28-16 win on the siren.

The Knights will now await the match review committee’s decision on Thompson’s tackle on Sunday.

Thompson's Sin-Binning: A Costly Error for the Knights

The Knights were outplayed in the second half, and Thompson's sin-binning was a turning point in the game. It allowed the Cowboys to gain a one-man advantage, which they used to their advantage to score the winning try.

Was the Sin-Binning the Right Call?

The incident was controversial, with some arguing that Thompson's tackle was not intentional, while others believed that it was a clear case of a high tackle.

Greg Alexander believes that the tackle might have been mitigated by the fact that Feldt fell into the tackle. He argued that Thompson had run out of the line at speed and couldn't react to the situation, but that Feldt losing his footing and falling into the tackle could be seen as mitigating circumstances.

Referee Todd Smith placed Thompson on report and sent him to the sin bin, a decision supported by commentators. Smith believed that it was a good call despite the limited time remaining in the game.

The Cowboys' Momentum Shift

The Cowboys, energized by the sin-binning, seized the opportunity to take control of the game.

“If he doesn't take this, the Knights score - but he goes all in and comes up trumps,” Johns said of Feldt's intercept, which halted a certain Knights try. The Cowboys' momentum struggled to build in the opening 40 minutes, as the brilliance of Ponga orchestrated a powerful surge by the Newcastle Knights to snatch an eight-point lead.

The Cowboys had a promising start, but the Knights turned the tide in the first half. However, a poor kick by Jack Cogger followed, gifting the Cowboys a seven-tackle set inside the opposition half. This was another major misfire from Newcastle. “There's been two glaring errors ... they've got rebuild this game the Knights and start again,” Johns said. “All the momentum is with the Cowboys now. They have exploded in the second half.”

Looking Ahead: The Judiciary

Thompson's fate will be decided by the MRC. The NRL Judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding the integrity of the game by imposing sanctions on players who commit foul play. The MRC will assess the incident, taking into account the circumstances surrounding the tackle and the severity of the impact on Feldt.

The Knights will be hoping for a lenient decision from the MRC, but Thompson's future participation in the 2024 season remains uncertain.

A Difficult Night for the Knights

The Knights will be left to rue the missed opportunities. They had a golden opportunity to create easy metres for his team, but in looking for support through Dane Gagai the ball was lost. “He's just dropped his lollies,” Smith said. “That hurts ... that was a golden opportunity.”

The Knights will need to regroup and learn from their mistakes if they want to be a force to be reckoned with in the 2025 season.

Final Whistle: The Cowboys Move on, the Knights Face Uncertainty

The Cowboys will face the Sharks in week two of the finals. The Knights will be left to ponder what might have been. It's unclear when, if ever, Thompson will be back on the field. His future is uncertain, but he will be anxiously awaiting the MRC's decision.