Both Atkinson and Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga had successful field goals rubbed out during the final minutes of the Sharks' win on Sunday after their teammates were ruled to have prevented the defence from making a clear run towards the ball.
Referee Gerard Sutton cited Newcastle's Mat Croker and Adam Elliott, and then Sharks forwards Cam McInnes and Royce Hunt, as obstructing the defence in the lead-up to the would-be one-pointers.
During the pre-season, the NRL sent clubs a memorandum that reiterated this rule, which states: "A penalty may be awarded if a player(s) takes up a position near the play-the-ball ... (or) stands in the defensive line, or in front of the play-the-ball, and in the opinion of the referee, obstructs a defender(s), regardless of whether there is physical contact."
Atkinson slotted a field goal in extra time to win the game and likely end Newcastle's finals hopes, but Knights coach Adam O'Brien believed his team's field goal should have been awarded earlier.
"I thought their's (Atkinson's) was a field goal as well," O'Brien said after the 19-18 loss at Shark Park.
"But Graham (Annesley, NRL head of football) will find a way to dress it up."
Ponga shared O'Brien's frustrations after a loss which leaves the Knights unable to finish the season with a winning record, and relying on a slew of other results to make the top eight.
"I agree with 'Adsie' (O'Brien). I don't have many words, I'm pretty disappointed with the result," the captain said.
But Atkinson could understand the decision to deny the Sharks their field goal, admitting he had called for the ball at the wrong time.
After having another field goal attempt charged down moments earlier, Atkinson said he had become trigger happy and forgot to ensure his teammates had cleared his path for a field goal.
"It was just dumb by me, to be honest," he said.
"I had blockers there, I just got excited because it was a quick play-the-ball. It was a fair call (from the referee).Â
"It didn't rattle me. It was probably just more, 'I shouldn't have taken that'."
The subsequent match-winner was the latest triumph for Atkinson in a breakout season at the injury-hit Sharks.
Atkinson had played only one game from the bench - for Melbourne in 2022 - prior to emerging as understudy for Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes across 14 games this year.
Cronulla have won nine of 12 games when Atkinson has started in the halves.
AAP understands the Sharks have set aside funds to re-sign Atkinson beyond his current contract but are currently prioritising negotiations with in-form forward Jack Williams.
Williams is without a deal beyond 2024 but Atkinson holds a contract for another season, though could likely command bigger money elsewhere.
"I haven't even thought about (my future) to be honest. I'm still trying to stay in this team week in, week out," Atkinson said.
"I love being here, love the Sharks."
