But they were denied an early try when Billy Slater screamed across in cover defence to shoulder charge winger Feki as a last-gasp try-saver in the left corner.
Slater's deliberate shoulder charge was penalised, but commentators immediately pointed out Slater should have been sent to the sin bin and the referees should have considered a penalty try because it was a professional foul as the only defender between Feki and the try line, less than one metre away.
The controversial tackle may have ended Slater's career with the No. 1 potentially facing a minimum two week ban if the NRL Match Review Committee hits him with a grade 1 shoulder charge offence — which caries a minimum 200 points even with an early guilty plea.
Under NRL rules, a player can be charged if the contact is forceful and the player doesn't use his arms to tackle.
Australian rugby league legends Peter Sterling and Brad Fittler told Channel 9 in commentary that Slater's fairytale farewell could be ruined.
"If the review committee see that as a shoulder charge that's an automatic 200 points," Fittler said.
It does not help Slater's cause that Feki shortly after was forced from the field with a shoulder injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
NRL legends Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston also said Slater's hit is a shoulder charge under the current rules.
That doesn't mean Joey was happy.
"As much as I don't want to say it, he's braced for contact, what else can he do, every coach wants to see that desperation," Johns told Channel 9.
"Unfortunately, it's going to be deemed a shoulder charge, which I don't agree with, everyone else doesn't agree with, but under the rules that's a shoulder charge."
