Denan Kemp called the timing of the Golden Boot announcement "bizarre" and said it undermined efforts to grow international Rugby League.
The award, recognising the best international player, was announced on Thursday, before the Rugby League World Cup final.
New Zealand fullback Kalyn Ponga won ahead of Casey McLean and Australia's Reece Walsh.
Fans had expected the result after the final, where Walsh and Ponga could have contested a concluding showdown.
Ponga had played twice for New Zealand, while Walsh had appeared in three matches for the Kangaroos.
The decision divided fans, and Kemp criticised it on SEN Radio.
"Is rugby league being punked right now? What are we doing?" Kemp said on Saturday.
"We are trying to look like a serious world game. Who makes these decisions? I've said some really silly things in my time, but there's someone around me that says, 'That's a silly thing you just said'.
NRL premiership winner Chad Townsend also condemned the timing, warning it could backfire if Walsh outperformed Ponga in the final.
"It's absolutely crazy," Townsend added. "You talk about the storylines that could play out this weekend. If Australia win, if someone like Reece Walsh, who was locked into the final five and nominated for the award. If Australia win (and) Reece Walsh gets Man of the Match and Kalyn Ponga has won the Golden Boot during the week.