Sharks great Paul Gallen has called on the NRL to introduce referee post-match press conferences to mirror those of players and coaches.

The calls come after a weekend Wayne Bennett and Ricky Stuart both expressed frustrations at a lack of consistency and understanding in how several rules, including hip-drops and obstructions, are interpreted.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said he would also seek clarification over the “spirit of the game” penalty against Josh Curran for impersonating a match official.

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Speaking on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night, 9News reporter Danny Weidler said several “big coaches” had revealed their own frustrations around a pre-season gag order forbidding them from mentioning referees in their pressers.

“They said everybody else has got a say in the game – media people, fans, whoever else – but they’re not allowed to,” he said.

“So they’re really disappointed that they’re not given that level of respect by the NRL. That’s a growing feeling, and it’s a problem for the NRL.”

Host James Bracey then asked Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould for his thoughts, but he instead elected to walk off the set. He was fined $20,000 by the NRL last May for a “destructive attack” on “stupid” rules in the game. Gould appealed the sanction and the NRL eventually agreed to suspend the $20,000 fine for 12 months.

As Gould walked off the set, Gallen jumped in and said coaches should be allowed to discuss calls they’re not happy with in the press, and he “wouldn’t mind” seeing referees face the press post-game.

“Why shouldn’t the referee have to after had some pretty contentious decisions?,” Gallen asked.

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“You’ve got to remember (coaches and captains) have just finished a game of footy, and they’re in there within five, maybe 10 minutes post-game. Their emotions are high.

“They’ve just spoken to their players, they’ve seen the disappointment in their eyes. It’s a hard situation.

“Look, we can’t have the game without referees. We understand that, and we respect them and they do a pretty good job most of the time, but unfortunately there are some decisions that are very, very crucial in games that people want answers about.

“That’s why I’ve always maintained I wouldn’t mind seeing the referees do a post-match press conference.”

NRL football boss Graham Annesley’s regular Monday briefings explaining contentious calls from the previous weekend were shelved for 2025. They were introduced in 2019.

Weidler said coaches had also expressed anger over six again rules, and that they were rarely called when play was in the midfield, and more often than not only called when a side was camped on its own try line.

Gould briefly returned to the panel, but again walked off as the six-again chat continued.

Gallen wants the rule scrapped, calling it a “mystery tour”.

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“In the three Channel Nine games (Storm-Panthers, Broncos-Cowboys, Eels-Bulldogs), there was more than 20 indiscretions in every single game,” he explained.

“In the Melbourne-Penrith game, there were 14 penalties and ten six-to-gos. That’s 24 indiscretions. Could you imagine if there were 24 penalties blown? (Fans) would be absolutely blowing up.

“But the fact that six-to-go just carries on, the referees don’t have to answer for it.

“I hate the six to go. Always have, but it seems like it’s here to stay for the moment.”