Ricky Stuart has taken aim at comments from rival coach Des Hasler following a dramatic golden-point clash on Sunday night.
Canberra managed to secure their fourth win of the season, escaping with a 21-20 triumph after a late field goal from Jamal Fogarty against his former side, the Gold Coast Titans.
Chevy Stewart impressed on debut for the Raiders, while a positional change for AJ Brimson worked wonders as the speedster looked at home in the No.6 jumper.
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Despite a better effort than their previous fixtures in 2024, Hasler took umbrage with the performance of the match officials due to a lopsided penalty and six-again count.
“I’ll be the first to say that we were ill-disciplined in parts, but my opinion, I thought the refereeing performance was pretty poor,” he told media post-game.
“I think a lopsided penalty count, particularly in the area of 10 six-agains to one. Some of those are warranted, some of those I’ll buy … but it’s difficult and I’m pretty proud of the effort and that’s why it’s heartbreaking.
“I’ve got some doubt around the off-side nature of the charge down [in extra-time]. Did they review it? They didn’t review it. Why not? It was probably a good metre offside.
“Let’s hear from the hard-running Graham Annesley, so hopefully he will have a better idea about it Monday morning.”
The visitors had just 42 per cent of possession at GIO Stadium and conceded their fair share of penalties and six-agains, but also dished up 10 errors for the night.
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
When told about Hasler’s assessment of the refereeing, Stuart blasted the Titans coach and sympathised with on-field official, Kasey Badger.
“F–k me, he is on another planet,” the Raiders coach said.
“If he is critical of the six-agains and the penalty count he is on another planet.
“The way they cheated when they were standing there with the hand on the ball holding over the ball … the way they cheated on the ground. If we want to go back to last year or the years we have had. No worries, we will start cheating as well.
“I feel sorry for Kasey. The way they were in her face all night I felt sorry for Kasey out there tonight. She had to withstand a lot of pressure.”
Canberra moved into the NRL’s top-four after the victory on Sunday night, while the Titans remain winless in 16th spot.