LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Former NRL player James Graham has reiterated his criticism of referee Ashley Klein following a controversial decision during the semi-final match between the Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs. While working for Triple M radio, Graham expressed his frustration after Klein chose not to send Penrith's Dylan Edwards to the sin bin for dragging Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau away from a loose ball, which could have led to an early score for the Bulldogs.
In his passionate commentary, which is under review by the NRL and could result in disciplinary action, Graham referred to Klein as a "bottleless git," accusing him of "bottling it" during the crucial moment. He has since maintained his stance on the matter while speaking on his Bye Round Podcast, where he suggested that Penrith coach Ivan Cleary would have accepted the sin-bin call had it been made.
"I stand by what I said, because if Liam Martin did the same thing and charges a kick down and Connor Tracey pulled him back, I would say Ashley Klein bottled it," Graham asserted. He further elaborated, "Take away the blue and white, and the black and gold jerseys, I thought that decision was what you could describe as, from an English point of view, bottling it, or too nervous to make the call." Graham concluded by stating, "I think that because it was so early in the game, Ashley Klein didn't know what to do."