Why NRL fans with long memories think Cronulla Sharks four-tackle set scandal is KARMA

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Footy fans have very long memories and some of them are not feeling sympathetic toward the Cronulla Sharks after a refereeing decision potentially cost them dearly on Friday night.

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon insists Cronulla's season is not in a critical condition, despite the Sharks slumping to their fifth defeat in six games with a 20-16 loss to Gold Coast. 

However a shocking a refereeing mistake denied the Sharks an important full set of six when they were attacking the try line that could have denied them victory.

Four minutes into the second half, referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski mistakenly signaled the fifth and final tackle when it was actually the fourth.

Caught off guard by this error, Sharks' Braydon Trindall kicked the ball, believing it was the fifth tackle. The Titans successfully defended the kick in their in-goal area.

The game continued with a seven-tackle set for the Titans after Cronulla's Kayal Iro was brought down just a meter short of the try line on what should have been the fourth tackle.

While the matter will be investigated by the NRL, North Queensland Cowboys fans are not feeling sorry for the Sharks after a similar incident bounced them out of the finals in 2013.

At the time, the NRL expressed deep regret over the 'human error' that led to Cronulla being awarded a seven-tackle try in their 20-18 elimination final win against North Queensland.

The referee signals fifth tackle while the live scoreboard shows it was only tackle four

Bean Ryan scored the Sharks' first try in the eighth minute at Sydney Football Stadium, but replays later revealed it was awarded on the seventh tackle by referees Matt Cecchin and Henry Perenara.

This decision significantly impacted the match's outcome, resulting in the Cowboys exiting the finals series for the second year in a row amid refereeing controversy.

At half-time, the NRL acknowledged that all six match officials had made an error, and it was announced immediately after the game that an inquiry would be conducted.

Beau Ryan cashed in when the Sharks were given a seven tackle set in the 2013 NRL finals

And diehard Cowboys supporters are not willing to let Cronulla forget.

'The North remembers,' one posted.

Another fumed: 'I was at the game for the 7 tackle set in Sydney when we played sharks. So no sympathy- and ours was in the finals.'

'What goes around comes around I guess. Too bad it took 10 years though and it didn't cost them a finals spot,' posted another Cowboys supporter.

'Gee, what a shame, condolences from the Cowboys,' another posted, tongue firmly in cheek. 

Yet another simply posted: 'Karma'.

The Sharks have suffered another loss and are in danger of falling out of the NRL top four

While the loss has put a major dent in the Sharks' top four aspirations, Fitzgibbon is not throwing in the towel just yet.

'It's not crucial yet, we're still sitting in a strong position,' Fitzgibbon said.

'But what is crucial is we have to start to address it, otherwise it will be. There are a lot of parts to like.

'We're not shying away from it, we're going after it and getting into the fight.'

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