Refs should front media, says Paul Gallen

Cronulla captain Paul Gallen says NRL referees should have to do press conferences after games to explain their decisions.

Gallen and coach Shane Flanagan were left fuming at several calls in Saturday night’s 30-22 loss to the Wests Tigers as a gallant Sharks outfit desperately tried to give their skipper a win in his 200th game.

“I personally believe referees should be in here and be accountable for their actions,” Gallen said.

“When a player has a shocker he gets hammered and when a referee makes bad decision he seems to slip under the radar a little bit.

“I’d like to see them maybe do a press conference after the game and get asked about some of their decisions and then you might see a little bit more consistency.”

Flanagan said his side had missed out on the rub of the green for several weeks.

“We’ve been done over three weeks in a row now,” he said.

“It’s happened to us all year.

“I’m not blaming that for our year because we contributed to that more than the referees did.

“… (But) they aren’t getting any better.

“I don’t know if I’ve got 10 grand to spend (on a fine for criticising referees).

“I feel sorry for the players. These blokes are out there busting their arse week in week out and all they want is a bloke to make some decent calls, get better at doing their job, and I don’t think they are.”

The Sharks stuck with the high-flying Tigers, who have now won eight straight, and were just four points behind with seven minutes remaining.

Gallen might not have notched a commemorative win, but he can reflect on two classy try-creating offloads for John Williams and Jeremy Smith to score.

Flanagan praised his side for its effort in a game that doubled as a farewell to forwards Kade Snowden (Newcastle) and Luke Douglas (Gold Coast).

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