Shane Flanagan, the coach of the Dragons, expressed his frustration over controversial late-game decisions that he believes may hinder his team’s chances of making the finals. After a strong second-half performance, the Dragons seemed poised for victory and their seventh win of the season, but they were ultimately defeated when the Bulldogs scored just two minutes before the final whistle.
Flanagan highlighted a critical moment involving a disputed forward pass that preceded a penalty awarded to the Bulldogs. Jacob Kiraz, the Bulldogs’ fullback, attempted to play the ball after a high kick from Clint Gutherson but was impeded by Dragons player Luciano Leilua, leading to a captain’s challenge from Stephen Crichton. The video review concluded that Leilua’s foot obstructed Kiraz, granting the Bulldogs a penalty that proved pivotal.
Flanagan fervently criticized the decision, claiming that Leilua had the right to maintain his position without being penalised. He noted that Kiraz should have been required to rise to his feet before playing the ball, adhering to the rules that have been consistently enforced throughout the season. Flanagan remarked, “I get emails from the NRL about things they are concentrating on and it’s about balance. You can’t fall forward, fall sideways or ball plant.”
Following this contentious play, Flanagan pointed out another moment of concern just before the game ended, where he believed a knock-on call was misjudged, further compounding his frustration. Despite acknowledging the Bulldogs as a strong side, he insisted that his team made avoidable mistakes but lamented that decisions made by the officials appeared to have directly impacted the game’s outcome.
In his post-match comments, Flanagan conveyed pride in his team’s effort, emphasising that they fought hard for the points at stake. However, he remained deeply disappointed that their performance was overshadowed by what he views as significant officiating errors. He is concerned that such crucial calls could ultimately jeopardise their position in the league and their chance at competing in the finals.
Flanagan expressed a determination to address these officiating issues through the proper channels. Reflecting on the emotional toll of the defeat, he noted that the effort put forth by his players was commendable, but they were let down by the decisions made at critical moments. He emphasised, “We should’ve won,” encapsulating the sentiment of disbelief at how the match unfolded due to officiating inconsistencies.