LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Graham Annesley hits back at Knights coach Adam O'Brien in NRL thriller
In a classic showdown reminiscent of a State of Origin grudge match, NRL head honcho Graham Annesley didn't hold back in defending his officiating crew against Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien's claims.
The rugby league legend put his foot down and fired back at O'Brien on Monday, showing no fear in standing up for his officials who made crucial calls in the golden point thriller between the Knights and Cronulla.
The Sharks clinched the victory in a nail-biting finish where both teams were penalized for using blockers during field goal attempts.
O'Brien argued that these plays were fair and square, accusing Annesley of twisting the facts in his favor.
However, Annesley didn't back down, using historical references from pre-season meetings with coaches and video evidence from past games to prove his point.
"This isn't a last-minute decision made on the field," Annesley declared.
"We've been clear from the beginning of the season about the rules regarding blockers in key moments like field goal attempts.
If you want to avoid these penalties, don't put yourself in that risky position.
The referees are simply enforcing the rules that have been in place all along."
In a battle of wills between two hardened rugby league minds, Annesley's decisive response showed that he's not afraid to tackle controversy head-on, even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way.