Referees 'under review' after missed knock-on and seven tackle set

The NRL has admitted the referees missed a crucial knock-on from Mitchell Pearce in the final moments of the Knights’ clash with the Bulldogs, but the governing body is more concerned about a Bulldogs seven-tackle set.

Knights half Pearce dived on a loose ball at Suncorp Stadium, with fullback Kalyn Ponga streaking away later in the set to seal a 22-10 victory.

Bulldogs coach Dean Pay chalked it up as another 50-50 decision against them post-game, while Pearce himself admitted surprise at the no-call.

Annesley confirmed on Monday that he had knocked on, but also that interference on Pearce from the Bulldogs as he chased the ball had been missed by the officials.

He was most concerned with a seven-tackle set for the Bulldogs, even though it didn’t have any direct impact on the score.

“That’s not an error we would not normally expect in a game,” Annesley said.

“The officials in that game are currently under review … and we’ll see what transpires (on Tuesday) when the refereeing appointments come out,” he said.

Annesley also said he was comfortable with the sin-binning of Parramatta’s Maika Sivo for his high shot on Melbourne fullback Jahrome Hughes.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters and Penrith great Greg Alexander were among those who thought Sivo was fortunate not to be sent off.

Eels coach Brad Arthur questioned whether it merited any attention, citing a high shot on prop Daniel Alvaro three weeks ago that went unpunished.

Annesley said it definitely merited attention though, admitting that either a send-off or sin-bin would’be been deemed appropriate by the league.

“I’m not going to be critical of that fact; it was one of those decisions that required action, he took action,” Annesley said.

“Some people will believe the action should’ve been stronger, others won’t.”