But he’s floated the idea of the NRL giving coaches the ability to opt out of post-game press conferences to halt the incessant questioning and scrutiny about refereeing decisions. Loading Under NRL guidelines coaches are required to front one pre-game press conference during the week and one shortly after each match. "As coaches we know the game is different, fans want to see emotion and coaches stand up for their team within the rules," Flanagan said. "We can't test the referees' integrity, we know that. But some of those press conferences add to the whole shenanigans of rugby league.

"I get pretty emotional with those sort of things and caught up in the moment, but there were a couple of things I still believe we were on the wrong end of [last week]. "The funny thing for me is we have those situations and we go and make coaches talk. I won't go next time if there's something [really inflammatory], but I understand why we do it." Flanagan was one of two coaches heavily fined by the NRL for post-game tirades against the officials – alongside Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett – after their sides controversially crashed out of the finals in the opening week last year. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video It prompted NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg to call for the game to "grow up". Flanagan later apologised for his comments.

But NRL officials have been caught up in a season-long spotlight after an early season penalty blitz in a bid to clean up the game and a number of bad calls, highlighted by Cronulla's fortuitous win over the Raiders a fortnight ago. Cecchin revealed he and his family had received "hundreds and hundreds of messages and they are death threats" after he correctly disallowed a late try to Tonga in last year’s World Cup semi-final against England. The game’s highest profile referee has enlisted the help of a sports psychologist at the back end of his career – and has urged Greenberg to employ one full-time for the NRL’s professional referees squad. Cecchin will officiate in his 300th NRL game when the Panthers play Stuart's Raiders on Sunday and the Canberra coach didn't hold back when asked what had driven Cecchin away from the code. Ricky Stuart at a press conference. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos