James Graham penalty in Bulldogs’ loss to Rabbitohs was the correct call

MY immediate reaction to the ANZ Stadium thriller was that the Canterbury Bulldogs were robbed of two competition points. Read Phil Rothfield’s comment.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 03: James Graham of the Bulldogs looks on during the round five NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on April 3, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

MY immediate reaction to Friday’s ANZ Stadium thriller was that the Canterbury Bulldogs were robbed of two competition points.

James Graham was clearly charging the ball down in the dying minutes when he accidentally collected Adam Reynolds.

The grass was greasy. There was no intent. It was an accident and he had his head turned away so he wouldn’t get hit in the face by the ball.

James Graham’s tackle on Adam Reynolds.

Then I spoke to former referees boss Bill Harrigan on Friday night. He says the penalty call was correct despite the fact Graham’s action was not deliberate.

According to Harrigan, the player performing the charge down cannot under any circumstances come into contact with the kicker’s leg.

That being the case I withdraw my suggestion the Dogs were robbed.

UNACCEPTABLE: Ref hospitalised after being hit by bottle

RABBITOHS BLOW: Reynolds sidelined for five months

FLASH POINT: Issac Luke concussed after kick to face

There is no excuse whatsoever for what happened after the decision was made, even if it did cost the Bulldogs two competition points.

The people who threw bottles at the referees should be charged by police and banned from attending games for life.

Bulldogs forward Dave Klemmer and skipper James Graham were also over the top in their reaction, as much as they were heat-of-the-moment outbursts.

They should both be fined or at least warned about respecting referees.

Originally published as James Graham penalty in Bulldogs’ loss to Rabbitohs was the correct call