The Canberra Raiders managed to secure a narrow 26-22 victory over the Melbourne Storm in an exhilarating match, but coach Ricky Stuart was left with conflicting feelings afterward.
Stuart commended his team's performance, branding it their most comprehensive display of the season.
Initially, the Raiders made a powerful start, racing ahead to a 12-0 advantage and seeming to dominate early on, though the tide shifted at different points during the game.
A pivotal moment occurred when Hudson Young had a try annulled due to an accidental offside, a ruling that clearly frustrated Stuart from the sidelines.
When asked about his thoughts upon witnessing the Young no-try decision, Stuart reflected honestly, saying, "Negativity."
Despite the Raiders managing to hold onto their lead for the win, the atmosphere in Stuart's post-match press conference quickly changed when the topic shifted to refereeing and the game's overall condition.
The experienced coach expressed growing dissatisfaction with the inconsistencies in officiating, notably regarding ruck interpretations and the influence of the bunker.
"What stands out to me is after the back end of the season last year, it's very hard to cheer after a try," he remarked.