Hold onto your seats, because the NRL’s Las Vegas opener just got a whole lot more heated! St George Illawarra Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has unleashed a fiery critique of referee Grant Atkins and the officiating team, following a heart-wrenching one-point loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs in golden point. But here's where it gets controversial: Flanagan didn’t just stop at one call—he highlighted a series of decisions that left the Dragons feeling shortchanged. From a disputed loose carry ruling in the final minute to a handful of bunker reviews that raised eyebrows, Flanagan pulled no punches in his post-match presser. 'It’s a loose carry, mate, every single time,' he asserted, clearly frustrated. 'We didn’t get the rub of the green, and the game shouldn’t have ended like that.'
And this is the part most people miss: Flanagan wasn’t alone in his frustration. He even called on a journalist to back up a point about Stephen Crichton’s high shot on Dragons rookie Setu Tu, which landed Crichton on report but not in the sin bin. 'There was another one where Setu Tu was running back, Kikau pushes him, and they get a penalty. Come on,' Flanagan exclaimed, his exasperation palpable. 'There were about six or seven of these calls that went against us.'
Dragons captain Damien Cook admitted he hadn’t reviewed the incidents yet but felt the calls should’ve favored his team. Meanwhile, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo played it cool, suggesting the Crichton decision was fair—a stance that’s sure to spark debate. Is Flanagan’s outrage justified, or is he just a sore loser? And where’s the line between human error and officiating inconsistency? Let’s just say, this game’s aftermath is as intense as the match itself. Looking ahead, the Bulldogs enjoy a Round 2 bye, while the Dragons gear up for a clash with the Storm. But before you dive into the next round, don’t miss the FREE Zero Tackle 2026 NRL Season Guide—packed with 130+ pages of insights, it’s your ultimate footy companion. Download it HERE and stay ahead of the game!
