Archer backs hard line on dissent

NRL referees boss Tony Archer wants his match officials to continue to send players to the sin bin for cases of serious dissent.

NRL referees boss Tony Archer has encouraged his charges to follow Gerard Sutton's lead and send any seriously dissenting players to the sinbin.

The Bulldogs on Tuesday were quick to point out that the NRL had "drawn a line in the sand" on player behaviour towards referees after accepting sanctions against captain James Graham and fellow forwards David Klemmer and Michael Lichaa following ugly scenes late in the loss to South Sydney.

On Thursday, in his weekly video address, Archer backed Sutton's move in sending Klemmer to the bin late in the controversial Good Friday match, and urged his fellow referees to take a hard line against dissent.

"Certainly I want the referees to take a strong stance on dissent," Archer said.

"There are a couple of options for them in general play, they could either march the player 10 metres or if it is significant enough they could, and the circumstance on Friday certainly warranted that, the sinbinning of a player.

"I encourage the referees to take that strong stance and that was well handled on Friday."

Archer also backed Sutton's move to award a penalty in front of the posts for Graham's late tackle on Souths halfback Adam Reynolds as he attempted a field goal as the correct decision.

He said Canterbury weren't entitled to a penalty after Bryson Goodwin's goal due to a push in the back of Josh Morris because it was the result of a legitimate contest.

Archer also said the awarding of an eight-point try to Rabbitohs hooker Issac Luke and Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards in the win over Parramatta on Easter Monday were the right calls.

Archer also said two controversial no-try calls against Penrith in their Monday loss to North Queensland were on the money.