As expected, NRL head of football Graham Annesley has conceded the match officials made several costly errors during the shortened round 16.
After four controversy-filled fixtures, Annesley fronted the media for his weekly round debrief on Monday, addressing multiple moments which caused heated debate.
Annesley will meet with the officials and their coaching staff to determine whether anybody should be dropped over their performances.
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"I do want to talk to them about a range of things we've seen over the past two weeks that just aren't good enough," he said.
Read on to see Annesley's explanations for some of the talking points from last round.
MATCH-DECIDING STORM ESCORT CALL WAS CORRECT
Annesley backed the on-field referees' decision to penalise St George Illawarra Dragons forward Jacob Host for an escort on Melbourne Storm fullback Jahrome Hughes.
Host was pinged for obstructing Hughes from being able to contest an attacking Billy Walters bomb in the 73rd minute on Thursday night.
Melbourne elected to take a shot at goal after the penalty and captain Cameron Smith calmly drove the ball through the posts, passing 2,500 career points and sealing a 16-14 victory at WIN Stadium.
While some Dragons fans argued the call was unjust, Annesley confirmed the whistleblowers were correct.
He presented footage that showed Host's gaze locked on Hughes rather than the ball before the impact took place.
"If we go through frame-by-frame, [Host's] eyes are still not in the air, he runs across, turns his shoulder and turns his back deliberately on Hughes who has no option but to collide straight into the back," Annesley said.
"Although it was a big decision, it would have been an equally big decision not to give that penalty.
"I'm sure the Melbourne Storm would have been up in arms [had it not been awarded]."
WESTS TIGERS STIFFED BY TWO WRONG CALLS
Wests Tigers copped two incorrect rulings that cruelled them in a 24-16 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Friday, Annesley admitted.
The first was when Wests Tigers' tackle count was not restarted after Victor Radley shot out of the line and blocked a Robbie Farah kick.
The referees deemed Radley's effort not to be a charge down and the Roosters subsequently gained possession from a handover as Corey Thompson was tackled on his own 30-metre line.
Annesley said Wests Tigers should have been granted a six-again call.
"As Farah kicks the ball, [Radley] certainly turns sideways and the ball rebounds off him," Annesley said.
"The definition of a charge down is blocking the path of the ball with the hands, arm or body as it rises from an opponent's kick. In another section of the rules, it says charging down a kick counts as a touch.
"Even though [Radley] turned away from the ball, under the rules it was considered a charge down ... That was an incorrect decision."
Four plays later, Sydney centre Joseph Manu's boot landed on the sideline but was not seen by the touch judge.
The Roosters scored on the next tackle.
"That's a clear miss by the touch judge and should have been ruled in touch," Annesley said.
Annesley has not yet spoken to Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire.
MAUMALO DENIED FAIR TRY IN HORROR NIGHT FOR OFFICIALS
The New Zealand Warriors were hindered by multiple officiating errors in their 24-20 win versus the Newcastle Knights on Saturday.
In the 28th minute, the Knights' tackle count was restarted after it was ruled that Adam Blair stripped the ball from Mason Lino.
This was an incorrect interpretation and a knock-on should have been called, said Annesley.
Newcastle scored one tackle after play was allowed to continue with the home team in possession.
"In our view, that's a loose carry, it's not a strip," Annesley said.
Validating what everyone already knew, Annesley said the Bunker was wrong to deny Warriors winger Ken Maumalo a try.
Sent upstairs as a try, replays proved Maumalo's fingers remained on the Steeden until it was grounded – but the red lights inexplicably came up on the big screen.
"You can see the fingers on the ball, the fingers are spread on the ball," Annesley said.
"I think post-match, in anyone's view of that, that's a try."
While the front-on view clearly displayed Maumalo touching down to complete what would have been his hat-trick, a side angle was not as conclusive.
But Annesley said the second perspective was "irrelevant" given the first shot contained more than enough evidence to justify the initial call of try.
"They put doubt in their own minds by looking at the second angle. They should have made the decision based on the first angle they looked at," Annesley said.
Regarding a third incident, Annesley said the game should have been stopped after New Zealand centre Peta Hiku was knocked senseless in attempting a tackle.
With Hiku out of the defensive line, the Knights bagged a try on the ensuing play.
While a memo released to clubs earlier this year stated that trainers needed to inform officials when an injury is serious enough for play to be halted, Annesley said the onus also falls on referees.
"That player required medical assessment immediately and the referees didn't stop the game – and they should have," he said.
"The referee [Gavin Badger] saw it, and for a reason I don't understand allowed play to continue.
"The [lead] referee [Adam Gee] incorrectly gave an explanation after the try had been scored saying the trainer needs to bring it to our attention.
"That only has to happen if the referees and touch judges are unaware that a player has suffered a serious injury.
"In this case, they were aware that he suffered a head knock, they were aware that he was on the ground, and they should have stopped the play."