Brown fined $15,000

St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown has been fined $15,000 by the NRL for claiming his team is being unfairly treated by referees.

The Dragons mentor was quoted in News Limited newspapers today as saying his players are more harshly treated by referees because of the side's reputation for being ill-disciplined. Chief executive David Gallop says he realises there is pressure building on teams approaching the finals but it is incorrect and inappropriate to accuse a referee of bias.

The Dragons have five working days to challenge the breach notice handed to Brown. St George Illawarra has lost its last four matches and play the in-form Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium on Sunday.