CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan has hit back at the NRL after his whopping fine.

Meanwhile, a Trent Barrett referee suggestion is shot down by a couple of stars.

And South Sydney’s Sam Burgess responds to coaching changes at the Rabbitohs.

Catch all the latest rugby league news in Media Watch!

Round 19

FLANNO HITS BACK AT GREENBERG

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has hinted he’ll be challenging the NRL’s $30,000 fine that was dished out on Tuesday.

Flanagan and Manly’s Trent Barrett ($20,000) were both hit with fines for the referee rants following their team’s elimination from the finals last weekend.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg told the game to “grow up” following the pair’s remarks saying they hurt grassroots footy.

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“I think that’s ridiculous, I’ve got to stand up for this club and the game,” Flanagan told Channel Nine.

“My sponsors, my supporters of this club want me to stand up and my playing group.



“We just questioned the decisions and I think I’ve got a right to be able to do that.

“Does that damage grassroots? Is that disrespecting referees? Not in my view.”

Flanagan said he worked with the grassroots area of the game on a daily basis.

“I’ve got academies with hundreds of kids with boys and girls in them. We are grassroots every minute of the day,” he said.

“(Greenberg) had a shot at the other coaches. Trent Barrett runs water for a team, Brad Arthur is a coach of a (non-NRL) team.”

When asked whether he felt insulted by Greenberg’s comments, Flanagan replied: “Yeah, 100 per cent.”

‘DON’T SEND IN THE REFS!’

Aaron Woods and James Graham say they wouldn’t like the referees to enter the sheds after a game to explain their on-field decisions.

After his side’s controversial loss to Penrith, Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett said he’d like the match officials to explain to his players why their season is over.

The scenario was put to both Woods and Graham who shot it down.

“I wouldn’t want to see them, I’d be more filthier,” Woods told NRL 360.

“It’s a split second in the game. I applaud them for making a decision on the field. I’d rather them make a decision, whether it’s right or wrong they’ve got the balls to make the decision.

“You’re going to get some good ones and bad ones other days. It’s just part of footy.”

Graham added: “It doesn’t solve the problem. That’s not going to help, it’s not going to make the referees more accountable.

“I don’t like it. It creates too much conversation around them trying to justify why a decision’s been made.”

BURGESS RESPONDS TO MADGE AXING

South Sydney skipper Sam Burgess has spoken for the first time since coach Michael Maguire was sacked.

The Rabbitohs announced last week that Maguire would be leaving the club two years before his contract ended, with assistant Anthony Seibold taking over the role.

“It’s certainly mixed feelings,” Burgess told NRL Tonight.

“My relationship with Michael Maguire is really strong and we’ve done a lot together as player- coach and outside of football. I know his family, his wife Jo and his three kids are fantastic.

“The side away from football is the side that hits you more than the football.

“Michael’s going to be very successful wherever he goes. I wish him all the best in everything he does.

“In terms of Anthony Seibold, I think everyone’s got great raps on ‘Seibs’.

“I’m very impressed with his knowledge of the game and how he deals with people.

“We’ve briefly spoken. He’s really excited. It’s very hard for him also, he’s extremely good friends with Madge — he’s very respectful about that.”

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by Manly star Blake Green to talk finals, fallout to Michael Maguire’s sacking and Matt Moylan.

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COWS GREAT IN THE MAKING

Former North Queensland star Brent Tate believes Jason Taumalolo is a club great in the making.

After being the co-winner of last year’s Dally M Medal, Taumalolo has taken his game to another level this season and is a big reason why the Cowboys are still alive in the finals.

“The way he’s improved and the way he’s playing at the moment, it’s been incredible,” Tate told NRL Tonight.

“Next year with Jordan McLean and Matt Scott back, I think Paul Green will be able to use him in a different fashion.

“Next year we’ll see him go to another level.

“He’s really taken on that leadership role this year.”

MOYLAN EXEMPTION?

There’s still a slim chance Matt Moylan could line up for Penrith against Brisbane on Friday.

Moylan wasn’t named in the Panthers’ team list on Tuesday, but Fox Sports NRL reporter James Hooper said there was still a way for the skipper to take his place in the side.

“If they do want him to play they’re going to have to apply for an exemption because they didn’t name him in their 21-man squad,” Hooper told NRL Tonight.

“It’s not beyond the realms of possibility.”

STORM ‘RATTLED’

Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster admits his side were “rattled” by Parramatta in their thrilling qualifying finals clash.

The Eels took it to the Storm and nearly pulled off an unlikely upset in what was Cameron Smith’s record-breaking 356th game.

“The Eels had really good line speed in the game and they D’d up [defended] on us in our red zone,” Munster told Fairfax Media.

“We went away from our game plan and we usually don’t go away from our plan. We weren’t composed in the last 20 minutes of that first half and then we got back to what we do best by running hard and tackling hard in that first part of the second half.”

TIGER RETIRES

Wests Tigers utility back Justin Hunt will pursue a career in real estate after hanging up the boots due to a serious leg and ankle injury.

The 28-year-old made 22 NRL appearances over six seasons before suffering the injury playing reserve grade back in round 10.

“Wests Tigers would like to thank him for his service and wish him all the best in the future,” the club said on Tuesday.