Graham Annesley defends NRL officials, criticizes player attacks, addresses controversial penalty try decisions.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley has gone on the front foot to defend match officials copping criticism after a contentious penalty try was awarded against the Raiders last weekend.
In his Monday briefing, Annesley was unimpressed by the continued attacks on referees in the NRL and put the responsibility on players to follow the rules as he addressed controversial incidents in round 12 - mainly hip drops and penalty tries.
Roosters playmaker Luke Keary was awarded a penalty try in Easts' big win over the Raiders on Saturday for contact from Canberra lock Morgan Smithies as he chased a ball in goal, and couldn't cleanly ground it.