Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan torn to shreds for post-match rant

CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan has been torn to shreds on social media for a “sad” press conference after a shock finals loss.

Shane Flanagan wasn't a happy man.

DEVASTATED Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has joined Manly’s Trent Barrett in blaming NRL referees for their sensational exits to the 2017 season.

Barrett blasted the Bunker’s “unbelievable” call to allow Panthers star Tyrone Peachey’s matchwinning try late in the second half.

The furious coach joined skipper Daly Cherry-Evans at the tense post-match press conference and claimed the ball was knocked-on by the 26-year-old before he put it over the line.

“What I would like is the Bunker, Tony Archer and the referees to go into my shed and explain to my players that their season is now finished on the back of those two calls,” he said. “It’s cost us our year. Take nothing away from Penrith, they played well.”

Flanagan was in the same boat after his disappointing 15-14 loss to the Cowboys in extra time — except the reaction to his spray was savage.

The 2016 premiership-winning coach took no prisoners at his last post-match press conference of the year.

Shane Flanagan wasn't a happy man.

“We talk about decisions, crucial decisions and they were all wrong,” he said.

“We talk about getting people to the game but we have bigger issues, we need to fix this.”

Flanagan said the call to sin-bin James Maloney was particularly bad.

“It’s not a professional foul, it’s a penalty, if that,” he said. “Luke Lewis got run off the ball every time. Go and watch the video of how many times he got knocked to the ground in the kick chase.”

Andrew Fifita’s divisive knock-on call late in the game also got a serve from the Sharks coach.

“If anyone on this planet thinks Andrew Fifita knocked that ball on ... it went through his legs,” he said.

Triple M personality and former NRL forward Gorden Tallis took aim at Flanagan’s tirade, claiming the loss was far from the referees’ fault.

“The Sharks missed 37 tackles compared to the Cowboys 10. (And they) only completed (sets) at 62 per cent. But it was the referee that cost you the game? (I) don’t think so,” he said.

Tallis wasn’t the only one laying into Flanagan’s rant as the tweets rolled in slamming the 51-year-old.

Really sad from Shane Flanagan. A long, pre-written dissertation on referees after his team blew it. Pathetic.#NRLSharksCowboys

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) September 10, 2017

#NRLSharksCowboys classless act from Shane Flanagan, its way too easy to blame the refs when you're season is on the line and you loose

— andrew (@andyryansyd) September 10, 2017

A year after Cronulla ended the Cowboys’ premiership defence in a preliminary final, the visiting side returned the favour at the same Allianz Stadium venue. With the scores locked at 14-all in the 85th minute Cowboys star Michael Morgan potted a 15-metre field goal for their first lead of the match.

Trailing 14-12 with four minutes to go, the Cowboys drew level when the Sharks were controversially penalised for stripping the ball.

The defending premiers twice had a chance to steal the game in the final minute, however, James Maloney’s field goal attempt was charged down and Paul Gallen lost the ball millimetres from the tryline, forcing the extra period. The Sharks appeared headed for a comfortable 8-0 halftime break when Maloney was binned for a professional foul on Ethan Lowe.

A back-to-back premiership wasn’t to be.

The Cowboys second-rower was chasing a Michael Morgan grubber but was held back by Maloney, and the referee had no hesitation in sending him from the field. The penalty allowed Lowe to reduce the deficit to six points just before the break, however, the real penalty came when Kyle Feldt crossed in the 50th minute.

With Maloney waiting to re-enter the field, Morgan fired a long ball to Feldt to bring the Cowboys to within two points with half an hour to go. Bird’s return was felt minutes into the contest when he hustled Antonio Winterstein into the in-goal, forcing a turnover pounced on by Townsend. A legal strip from Jayden Brailey on Scott Bolton led to a penalty goal seconds later but the 8-0 advantage remained until Maloney’s brain snap.

— with AAP