'I stand by what I said': Bulldogs great James Graham defends explosive Ashley Klein spray

James Graham insists he will "stand by" criticism of referee Ashley Klein after the Bulldogs great landed in hot water over an explosive on-air rant.

The retired front-rower was put under the spotlight on social media after his choice to call Klein a "bottleless git" on radio early in Penrith's 46-26 win over his former team.

The comment was made just one minute into the match as Viliame Kikau had charged down a kick from Nathan Cleary and was then pulled back by Dylan Edwards, who consequently prevented the Canterbury forward from scooping up the loose ball.

NRL PRELIM FINALS TEAMS: Star halves return as Broncos make bold decision

READ MORE: Slater pinpoints glaring 'talent' issue after Dogs' collapse

READ MORE: 'Ridiculous' handicap that's hurting Brownlow's credibility

A captain's challenge by Penrith was used to review the on-field decision, with many league greats and Bulldogs fans expecting Edwards would be sin binned.

However, it was then confirmed that Edwards' act was not classified as a professional foul, meaning he would escape any time in the sin bin.

"You bottleless git Klein ... make the decision," Graham said on Triple M's coverage.

"This is the Jimmy Graham I loved," Gordon Tallis replied as Graham fumed.

Graham added: "You bottleless git ... you absolute bottle job.

His comments were brought to the forefront of Monday morning through the media, with some questioning why Graham was allowed to commentate on Bulldogs games.

There were also question marks whether he breached the NRL's code of conduct, which prevents any form of abuse from media, players or coaches against match officials.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

While there has been plenty of criticism coming his way, Graham didn't back down when the latest episode of The Bye Round Podcast was released on Tuesday.

"I stand by what I said," he said.

"If Liam Martin did the same thing and Connor Tracey pulls him back, I would say Klein bottled it. Take away the jersey, I thought that decision was what you could describe, from an English point of view, as bottling it or being too nervous to make the call.

"The fact it was too early in the game, Ashley Klein didn't know what to do.

"Did it change the outcome of the game? I think Penrith would've probably still won anyway. But I think every Penrith fan had Dylan Edwards to be sent to the sin bin... they would've accepted that call. I think Klein got it wrong.

"There are big calls that get called in the last 10 minutes where referees are under pressure. Maybe there was a lack of scrutiny because the score blew out.

"But I still feel it was the wrong call."

Graham claimed his words were misunderstood when written in an article on Monday.

"The phrase is an English phrase and it means you just sit on the fence," he said.

"You are scared to make a call. You know a big call needs to be made ... you could say the Bulldogs bottled it, they didn't stand up to the occasion.

"A git in England is a bit of an idiot, a numpty."

The 40-year-old did however sympathise with the tough line of work Klein and the rest of the NRL's match officials are in on a week-to-week basis.

"This is the first time I've been critical of referees in my commentary," he said.

"It is an incredibly difficult job and I respect what they do. I am not putting my hand up in any way, shape or form to do what they do. I do not envy it in any way, I've got no aspirations for it ... I fundamentally have respect for the referees.

"People could argue and point to different instances, but I do have genuine respect for all the match officials - but that does not mean they are immune from criticism.

"I am not immune from criticism about my commentary, my style. Any person who wants to comment underneath and say 'James Graham shouldn't be commentating Bulldogs games' ... I am not immune to criticism, nobody is, neither are the match officials.

"My duty as a commentator is to inform the audience of what my opinion is on all encompassing things that happen in the game, and that is what happened.

"Look, part of our roles as commentators is we are supposed to be unbiased. Does the emotion of any occasion get to us at times? Yes, often.

"It was a bit of a deflating Sunday. I think [that call on Edwards] infuriated everyone."

Tallis, who was a guest on podcast this week, then pointed out that you can not take the emotion and passion out of a person, regardless of the situation.

"If you want us to be passionate, you've got to be passionate," he said.

"I saw you with the Bulldogs fans and how much it meant to you in the lead-up to it.

"It is hard to do it, that's what people don't understand.

Graham played 135 first grade games - including two grand final appearances - for the Belmore-based outfit after joining the club from the Super League in 2012.