NRL referee Brett Suttor will survive despite an admission he got wrong a decision that allowed Newcastle to pip Parramatta on Saturday night.
Suttor awarded the Knights a 56th minute penalty, judging Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi had hit Evarn Tuimavave high.
The resulting penalty goal by Kurt Gidley gave the Knights an 8-0 lead, enough to ultimately clinch the game 8-6.
Referees boss Bill Harrigan conceded on Monday the penalty was “harsh” and should not have been awarded, but said Suttor’s form had otherwise been good.
“When you’ve got a referee in form you don’t just do anything on one decision,” Harrigan told AAP.
“You’ve got to have a bloke who’s out of form or it’s got to be an absolute clanger.
“It was just a bad judgment call.”
Harrigan said the call, like most refereeing decisions, was just one contributing factor to the Eels’ loss.
“There are a number of decisions that can cost a team a game that they themselves are responsible for,” he said.
“If there’s a decision which had an impact on the game you can say it contributed or it could have a hand in a team losing a game but it certainly can’t cost them a game.”
He said an apology to Parramatta was unnecessary.
“It’s just part and parcel of the game,” he said.
“No one’s making Brett Morris stand on a soapbox and apologise for not taking that ball (that led to a Queensland try) in the State of Origin (game last Wednesday).”
Nathan
Guest
He backed his man, though, good on him. Saying a ref cost this game or cost that game is just scapegoating by players, coaches and supporters who can't be honest with themselves.
Gareth
Guest
The game would be better off without Brett Suttor. He's smug, condescending and lacks a good sense of judgment.