Maguire lets fly at NRL refs

SOUTH Sydney coach Michael Maguire is facing the prospect of a $10,000 fine after giving NRL referees both barrels following his side’s dramatic 25-24 loss to Brisbane on Friday night.

The normally controlled Maguire let fly after his side were on the wrong end of several contentious decisions including Anthony Milford’s match-winning field goal in the 78th minute.

As he caught it, the Broncos five-eighth appeared to bobble the ball before snapping the decisive one-pointer, with Maguire labelling the decision to allow it as “ridiculous”.

“Everyone else in this room – did they see that it was or it wasn’t (a knock on)? Make a call because I don’t want to get charged 10 grand,” Maguire said. “Could you explain that to all the Souths fans that continually turn up to our ground, that are passionate around our club.

“We’re a building team, with young kids playing. I had Cam Murray go out there, who is a Souths junior, absolutely play a great game for us and have to sit in the changeroom and be disappointed because of things like that. Ridiculous.”

On several occasions Maguire questioned the decisions made by on-field officials and video referees and his comments will come under scrutiny from Rugby League Central in coming days.

Last year Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson was slugged $40,000 while Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has been fined $125,000 over the course of his career for his outspoken remarks.

Maguire held his tongue on several occasions during an extraordinary press conference but made his feelings well known.