The St George Illawarra Dragons are preparing to send a formal letter to the NRL headquarters for clarification on refereeing decisions made during their Round 1 match.
Public outcry has surrounded the officiating in the match against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, which saw the Bulldogs clinch victory in the final seconds of extra time.
Having used their captain's challenge early in the game, the Dragons had to accept the calls made by referee Grant Atkins and the NRL Bunker without contest.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan pointed out five critical moments that require further explanation, as reported by the Daily Telegraph, indicating that the club intends to contact Jared Maxwell, the general manager of NRL officiating.
The incidents in question are:
Additionally, the Dragons faced a disadvantage in the penalty count, which concluded at 9-3 in favor of the Bulldogs.
This occurred during a heartbreaking defeat, where the improved Dragons team demonstrated resilience in defense, hinting at the potential for a strong campaign in 2026.