NRL referees boss Tony Archer has backed the crucial call to send Jack Wighton to the sin bin in Canberra's preliminary final loss to Melbourne.
Raiders fullback Wighton was binned at a vital stage in the second half after holding down Storm winger Marika Koroibete after he had made a long break.
With the Raiders down to 12 men, Cheyse Blair crossed out wide soon after to help Melbourne on their way to a 14-12 win.
On his weekly video address on NRL.com on Monday, Archer said he was happy with the decision.
The reason it is a professional foul is that there is a long break made by Koroibete, the referee gets to the ruck and instructs the player to get off the tackled player," Archer said.
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"He is entitled to a quick play the ball because of the big break, Jack Wighton holds on and then continues to slow down the play the ball even after Koroibete is ready to play it.
"It stops play. It is a penalty and a professional foul."
"This is the approach we have had to professional fouls on the back of long breaks this year."
However Archer said referees Matt Cecchin and Alan Shortall erred in making Storm captain Cameron Smith take the conversion attempt to the Blair try out wider than they should have.
Archer also said he was happy for referees Cecchin and Shortall to call forward a long pass from Blake Austin to Edrick Lee.
In Cronulla's comprehensive preliminary final win over North Queensland, Archer said referees Ben Cummins and Gerard Sutton were right in allowing a first half try to Chad Townsend after a pass some felt was forward from his Sharks halves partner James Maloney.
"The referee was in perfect position and the correct decision was made on the field," Archer said.
