Penrith punish rusty Roosters
15 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
St George Illawwarra Dragons have claimed there was no intent to breach the NRL rules following comments from Coach Nathan Brown about referees on the weekend.
In a press release today, the club have reacted in 'disbelief' at the prospect of being issued with a breach notice.
Brown?s comments related to his perspective on the penalty counts going against his club over recent times.
Following his team's 36-10 victory over Manly at Brookvale Oval last Sunday, refereed by Stephen Clark, Brown was critical of refereeing standards in the post-match press conference.
"It's a joke really? I'll find you 50 occasions where they could've penalised Manly but because we're the Saints, the perception is we're undisciplined." Brown said.
"?Last week Tim Mander penalised us three times for marker play, if it was a Broncos jumper ? no."
"?That score was going to be 50 today mate but that probably wasn't going to suit some other people."
"?Because I'm apparently an easy going fella and because St George have been undisciplined for five years, we'll just keep running with the same call every week, 'cause that's what the public think, ?it's bulls**t really."
The Club are yet to receive the official breach notice although they have had discussions with the NRL.
Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust indicated that a submission will be made to the NRL within the given time.
?While we acknowledge the NRL?s role and consistent approach in protecting the integrity of the games? officials, we also note there was no intent to breach the NRL rules,? said Doust.
?The Dragons certainly do not wish to imply, for one minute, that there is any conspiracy at work against us, it was about perceptions,? said Doust.
In May 2003, Brown was issued with a $10,000 breach notice when he described a touch judge decision as "f***ing disgraceful" before adding it was one of several "f***ing disgraceful" decisions in the match.
At the time, NRL referees boss Robert Finch said he thought touch judge Steve Nash had "got it wrong" and it was a "soft call".
The Dragons Board decided not to appeal against the May 2003 breach notice and chose to pay the fine.