NRL: Hasler praises referees

Des Hasler. Photo / Getty Images

Des Hasler has broken ranks from the majority of the league community and given the NRL and its referees a pat on the back leading into Canterbury's preliminary final against Penrith on Saturday.

The Bulldogs coach and master of mind games has been one of the most vocal critics of the officials running the game dating back to his days at Manly, when the Sea Eagles were at constant loggerheads with the NRL.

But yesterday Hasler made a point of congratulating the game's under-fire referees and match review committee for their handling of controversial moments so far this finals series.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson and Sea Eagles mentor Geoff Toovey had plenty to say about the influence of poor officiating during what's been an unpredictable playoff series.

But Hasler is taking a different tack heading into the do-or-die clash against the Panthers and has spoken out in support of the whistle-blowers.

"Everyone has been talking about the large momentum shifts, whether they're generated through officialdom or the side's own errors," said Hasler.

"But the nature of the finals series has been so far that the referees have stayed right out of it and I think the referees have done a really good job so far in the finals."

The Bulldogs have won back-to-back games in the finals, but still it's unusual for a coach to be handing out free compliments to referees.

Less surprisingly, Hasler also applauded the decision of the match review committee not to charge Bulldogs forward Josh Jackson for a chicken wing tackle last weekend.

Critics have slammed the decision as inconsistent and promoting a poor image for the game, given the NRL have otherwise punished the illegal wrestling manoeuvre this season.

But Hasler said the panel got it right, with the Bulldogs' most influential back-rower free to tackle the Panthers on Saturday.

Jackson admitted it was a nervous two days as he waited for the NRL to hand down its verdict, conscious that the tackle didn't look good on television replay.