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'I don't think it's a good look': Phil Gould calls for an end to weekly NRL media briefing

Lachlan Harper
Lachlan Harper

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League icon Phil Gould has called for the NRL to end head of football Graham Annesley's weekly media briefing after he fired up over a number of controversial decisions in Newcastle's loss to the Sharks.

Knights coach Adam O'Brien was highly critical of referee Gerard Sutton's decision to sin bin Phoenix Crossland for a professional foul right on half time on Sunday, labelling it "ridiculous".

O'Brien then claimed in his press conference that Annesley would "dress it up" and defend Sutton's decision during his briefing on Monday.

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Graham Annesley has addressed Adam O'Brien's comments from the weekend.  Nine/NRL

Sutton also ruled a penalty when Kalyn Ponga kicked a field goal late in the game, ruling blockers had prevented defenders getting a clean run at Ponga. The same penalty was applied when Daniel Atkinson attempted his first field goal moments later.

Annesley claimed clubs had been warned on this rule while hitting back at O'Brien.

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now. 

"This is factual. This is straight out of the laws and interpretations that every club has a copy of," he told media on Monday.

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"This is factual law of the game. So, if I'm accused of dressing it up, I'll accept that if it means that I have to just give you the facts."

The weekly media briefing has received mixed reviews since its inception, with Annesley addressing the key events from the weekend's games.

Gould, who is general manager of the Bulldogs, called for it to end.

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"The only people who found it refreshing were media, people involved in the game knew what was going to happen with that and it would just become relentless," he said on Nine's 100% Footy.

"I don't think it's a good look for the game, I don't think Graham should have to do it. I don't think it does the game any justice and they shouldn't be doing it. Simple as that."

AFL footy boss Laura Kane previously held a similar weekly mediabriefing.

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It was cancelled after a controversial deliberate rushed behind call during an Essendon vs Geelong clash, which led to an apology from Kane to Bombers coach Brad Scott.

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