‘What’s the point’: Corey Parker slams NRL’s decision to muzzle coaches as fans remain in the dark over controversial calls

Broncos legend Corey Parker has called for greater transparency from the NRL when it comes to controversial refereeing decisions, with coaches unable to discuss contentious rulings in round 4 amid fears they could be fined. An email was sent to all 17 clubs before the season warning coaches, players and officials to not criticise referees after matches, while head office also got rid of Graham Annesley’s weekly briefing in a bid to remove the focus on the men and women making big calls in games. While it’s doing a great job protecting the referees, it’s leaving fans frustrated that they can’t hear the thoughts of coaches after a game when they’re asked about crucial decisions. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart blew up in round 3 over what he thought was a lopsided penalty count against his side, while several coaches held back over the weekend when asked about major calls. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was very diplomatic when asked about the decision to disallow what appeared to be a try to Moses Leota that killed off his side’s momentum against Souths, while Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy and Harry Grant clearly thought Eliesa Katoa scored against the Dragons that would have given them the lead in a tight contest. Benji Marshall was unhappy with the decision to award the Warriors a late penalty that they converted to win the game by two points, with the Wests Tigers coach unwilling to expand on his thoughts because he didn’t want to be sanctioned. “You were watching the game, you write whatever you think,” Marshall said after Sunday’s narrow loss. “I don’t want to do what Ricky (Stuart) did and risk getting fined and talk about the ref because we’re not allowed to, so I won’t bring it up. “I don’t think we are (allowed to talk about decisions). There’s nothing more to say, if you were there watching you know.” With coaches muzzled and the NRL unwilling to weigh in on controversial calls, Parker feels that fans are being short-changed and left without important answers about potentially match-changing decisions. “The journos have a role to play. If they jump up and down and make such a fuss in and around some of the decisions that are made, the lack of explanations and the high shots that have been let go, the NRL will then feel compelled to give the fans (answers),” the former lock forward said on SENQ. “The fans are the ones that need answers, or do we not need answers? And then you just move forward? Does no one want to hear from a referee that Leota was a try or wasn’t a try? “Does no one want to hear from the referees boss that (Selwyn) Cobbo’s foot wasn’t out when he tried to bat a ball back in from a 40/20 attempt? “I think we do need to hear, and the fans are given that right. They pay their hard-earned money to go and watch a game of football, and they’re not getting some of the answers they need. “On the flip side, they front up and get given these questions thrown at them when they’re emotional after a win or loss, and they’ve got to be tight-lipped and can’t say anything. “You’re dealing with some really smart individuals, and essentially, they’re not saying a thing, so what’s the point of having press conferences?”