Canterbury centre Josh Morris has accused NRL match officials of being scared to make a call, after he was controversially denied a try in the Bulldogs' NRL elimination final loss to Penrith.
Morris appeared to ground the ball on the line midway through the second half on Sunday, but was ignored by referee Jared Maxwell as he repeatedly asked for the movement to be reviewed by the bunker.
"I spoke to the touchie and said `It's on the line'. I spoke to the ref and I said `I got it down'," Morris said.
"But they dismissed it and two sets later they (Penrith) score a try. In the context of the game it doesn't mean we win but it certainly changes it.
"He (Maxwell) didn't say anything. He just deadpanned me and said `play the ball'. It's pretty disappointing. The touchie had a clear view of it and he just shook his head as well and dismissed it.
"They're too scared to make a call, obviously after what happened on Friday night with some of the decisions there."
Penrith led 16-6 at the time but Tyrone Peachey scored for the Panthers soon after to give them an unassailable lead on their way to a 28-12 win.
The NRL has been under fire over the first weekend of the finals after a number of controversial decisions in Brisbane's elimination final win over Gold Coast on Friday.
Morris was denied a try in similar circumstances in NSW's State of Origin I loss earlier this year.
"Origin, you can't steal a try off anyone," he said.
"It is frustrating but you've got to swallow that pill and get on with it."
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler was also miffed about the no try decision on Sunday.
"Is it worth a look? I think it is," he said.
"Could it have been pivotal? I don't know.
"But I'm not going to say it is the reason we lost the game."
