Referees boss Robert Finch has conceded Parramatta's match-turning try in their controversial 24-20 victory over Manly featured at least one forward pass, but says the Sea Eagles also benefited from a major blunder which led to a four-pointer.
Finch was unimpressed with the match officials' performance which drew scathing criticism from irate Manly coach Des Hasler but is adamant the mistakes had no bearing on the outcome of the match.
While Kris Keating's 5m forward pass to Joel Reddy, which led to the Eels' penultimate try, attracted all of the attention, Finch was equally disappointed by the decision not to refer Trent Hodkinson's try to the video referee after what he believes was a clear obstruction.
Despite his disappointment, Finch strongly indicated referees Shayne Hayne and Brett Suttor would be back in the top grade next week, but it appears likely touch judge Gavin Reynolds will pay a heavy price for missing Keating's gridiron-style pass.
"I'm pretty disappointed with the team's performance yesterday afternoon," an animated Finch said on Monday.
"There was two incidents in this game that led to points. The first being the first try that Manly scored which was clearly a breach of the key indicators and an obstruction should have been awarded against the Manly side and a penalty to the Eels."
"And the Joel Reddy try, the last pass was clearly forward, but we were quite comfortable with the pas leading in to that from (Jarryd) Hayne who extended his arms out in front of him and off-loaded."
Asked how all four on-field officials missed the obvious infringement, Finch explained: "If you watch the referee(Hayne) he's had to stop because of a chip kick and let the play go in front of him, so he's ruling from behind play in that instance."
"That happens quite regularly in a game because he has to get out of the way, but in saying that I would have expected a little bit more from the sideline official (Reynolds) on that touchline to have been in a better position to make that call."
Finch said sending forward passes upstairs in future is not a viable option and claims he has not heard Hasler's scathing post-match tirade in which he offered to cover the cost of a visit to an eye specialist for both whistle blowers.
He also defended Tony Archer and Matt Cecchin after Canterbury-Bankstown coach Kevin Moore labelled their performance on Friday night 'unacceptable', insisting the overall standard of officiating in Round 2 was much-improved.
"I think I was disappointed with their performance Round 1," he said of all officials.
"It was far better in Round 2, a lot better. We're talking about a game yesterday but the performances of the referees, as with the performance of players who are finding their feet in the new competition, the referees are also finding their feet in the new competition."
"There is no doubt moving forward that as players' performances improve so does referees."