Todd Payten has expressed his frustration with the officiating in the NRL after several controversial calls during his Cowboys side’s draw with the Panthers.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary also had his issues with the decision-making after one off-side decision wasn’t called late in the match.
For Payten, his original vent during his press conference came when discussing two key incidents.
One was a situation where Murray Taulagi was penalised during the second half for a high shot where Liam Henry fell into his chest.
“That’s a game-changer,” Kevin Walters said on Fox League about the tackle as the Panthers went on to score.
The other was minutes later when Viliami Vailea was collected high by Isaah Yeo, but no penalty came.
Asked if he wants to see better consistency from the referees, Payten was strong.
“Yes, I do, that’s what they’re paid to do, make the right call at the right time, and Murray Taulagi got a penalty where a bloke fell into his chest, and then Viliame Vailea less than five minutes later got his head taken off and that was right in front of the touch judge,” he said.
“There was no call there and that was wrong. There was also a flop on the 40-metre line and any later it would’ve been made tomorrow. It was so frustrating and we want consistency and we’re not getting it.
“I’m confused with what’s a high shot and what’s not. I’m sure everyone else is. I’m pretty close to action.
“I’ll talk to the NRL throughout the week, go through the right channels, but it’s just white noise. No one’s held accountable for it, and if it’s my player making error after error or a couple of howlers then fair chance he’s not in the team.”
Later in the press conference, Tom Dearden was asked how his side could improve their starts after the Panthers raced to an 18-6 lead.
Payten interrupted to complain about the pass from Blaize Talagi that gifted Isaiah Papali’i the first try.
“One of the tries was off a forward pass so I tell you how to fix that – make the right call,” he said.
“They have such a huge impact in the game. Get it right.”
Then it was Cleary’s turn.
With less than two minutes left in the match, Scott Drinkwater failed to get to a bomb on the full. It was unclear whether Drinkwater put his foot to the ball but nonetheless it bounced forward into John Bateman.
Cleary threw his hands up in the coaching box in frustration, clearly under the impression Drinkwater had touched it.
He was asked about it post-match.
“He was off-side, it was obvious,” he said.
“I just want to see them make the calls they should. I reckon there was at least three kick-pressure penalties we should’ve got tonight as well. Just no-brainers.
“That’s disappointing. There was a lot of other calls throughout the game but obviously it hurts a bit more when you see one you could’ve won the game with. That was so obvious.”