Wrap: Hasler and Mortimer

Manly coach Des Hasler is the latest mentor to call on the NRL to employ a second referee during matches.

Ricky Stuart, Michael Hagan and Matthew Elliott previously called for an extra whistleblower to help eliminate errors. But rather than have one referee control the ruck and another control the play-the-ball, Hasler's suggestion is to have an extra referee in the stands to adjudicate on contentious decisions.

He would have powers more wide-reaching than the video referee. Referee's boss Robert Finch says he's open to any proposal to improve the game.

Elsewhere, Bulldogs legend Steve Mortimer believes the club's success during the State of Origin period is proof it has the depth to win the premiership despite a bulging casualty ward.

The Bulldogs go into tonight's crucial Brookvale Oval clash against Manly without injured stars Roy Asotasi, Willie Tonga and Tony Grimaldi, while Willie Mason is serving a two-game suspension.

However, Mortimer, a veteran of 266 games for Canterbury, believes the Belmore club still has enough power up front to match the Sea Eagles.