Annesley backs ref after controversial call in Panthers vs. Roosters

NRL head of football Graham Annesley has again said the referee made the right decision after a controversial call. This time, it was referee Ashley Klein, who ruled out a Roosters try over a forward pass in Sydney’s qualifying final loss to the Panthers on Friday night.

Annesley delivers verdict 

Klein’s call was the major talking point from Graham Annesley’s weekly football briefing on Monday. The former  Gold Coast Titans chief executive officer wasted no time dismissing the criticism against him, Klein, and the standard of refereeing in the NRL.  
 
“I have lost count of the number of times this year that I have been asked about passes whether they are forward or back,” Annesley said, trying to downplay the decision.  
 
The footballing boss then admitted that there was some credibility to the argument that the pass was not a forward one.  
 
“I think that particular decision when you look at it on the broadcast view it is not clearly a forward pass,” Annesley explained, “In fact, looking for a broadcast perspective you could argue that it looks like it is an OK pass.” 
 
In the end though, Annesley backed the referee’s judgement.  
 
“But the referee is right there. He makes an instinctive judgement based on what he sees. He reacts immediately. He’s in a good position,” he said.  

Robinson sees red 

Annesley’s comments are sure to make Panthers fans feel better about their club’s 30-10 win on Friday, but they will do nothing for Roosters boss Trent Robinson. The legendary Sydney coach went ballistic after the match criticising referee Ashley Klein. 
 
“I didn’t think it was forward. I don’t think anyone thought it was forward except the ref,” Robinson said. 
 
“Even looking at the replays and the angles of the pass, that’s a big call in that moment and you can’t get that wrong. 
 
“I was disappointed...that should have been a try and that would have made it 24-16 and then it starts to get close.” 
 
Sydney captain James Tedesco agreed with his coach.  
 
“I didn’t think it was forward. We probably would have scored off the back of it and it would have been a different contest,” he said.  
 
“We haven’t had an 80-minute performance all year, especially against teams like Penrith and Melbourne. We can’t come out in a final and give them that much possession and that much ball because it’s hard to run down. We can do it in patches, but we’ve got to execute for 80 minutes.” 

Potential Panthers vs. Roosters rematch 

Robinson, Tedesco, and Roosters will get their chance to make things right against the Panthers in the preliminary finals if they can get past Manly Warringah in the semi-finals next weekend.  
 
The betting sites have Sydney as strong favourites to get past the Sea Eagles at home. PlayUp has the Roosters as -3.5-point favourites with $1.62 chances to win. Manly’s moneyline odds are $2.30, so they aren’t complete outsiders, but it will be tough for the Sea Eagles.

Roosters vs. Manly kicks off at 7:50 PM at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The winner of this match will face off against Panthers on either September 27th or 28th in the  preliminary finals.