The Newcastle Knights have fallen agonisingly short of the NRL Touch Premiership title after the North Queensland Cowboys scored a controversial try in the dying seconds of Sunday's grand final at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
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The Knights came from three behind and crossed for an equaliser with a minute remaining but eventually lost 5-4 to the Cowboys.
With scores locked at 4-all and extra-time looming, Newcastle players believed they had completed a touch on an airborne North Queensland opponent before he tapped the ball back in-field to a waiting teammate but officials ruled in favour of the match winner.
The Knights had a similar try disallowed earlier when down 4-3.
Newcastle player Alex Langbridge said he was "disappointed" but praised the performances of Mitch Wilton and Jake Fitzpatrick.
The Knights lost Jack Edwards on game eve after he suffered an ankle injury while playing a state basketball semi-final for the Maitland Mustangs.
In the women's decider, also played at the SCG on Sunday, the Brisbane Broncos defeated the Parramatta Eels 4-2.