Sharks Coach Hits Out At 'Referee Smith'

IMAGE - Getty

Chalk up the next chapter in the NRL rivalry between Cronulla and Melbourne as the emergence of "referee Smith".

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan added another grievance to the long list between the Sharks and the Storm on Thursday night, following Melbourne's 18-13 win over the defending premiers.

But Flanagan was far from happy with the pace of the game dictated by the referees, despite his side winning an 8-5 penalty count in the top-of-the-table clash with Cameron Smith's Storm.

"They were at their best wrestle Melbourne Storm today," Flanagan said.

"It was slow, it was frustrating. Referee Smith did a good job."

Pressed further on his issues with the Melbourne hooker's style of play, Flanagan said he was the best in his position - but indicated it wasn't just for his skills with ball in hand.

"I watched him closely today," Flanagan said.

"He managed the game perfectly, he got off the line early.

"I can complain about it as much as I like during the week, but he just does it very, very good. I wish we had a couple of them.

"He's just a good player. He knows how to flaunt the rules, push the referees or whatever it is.

"He's the best at it and he showed tonight he had one of those games."

It is not the first time the Sharks have taken exception to the Storm's defensive capabilities.

In 2015 veterans Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis both accused Melbourne's wrestle as being "off the chart" in a round-23 flogging, which set the tone for further complaints through the finals series.

"We know Melbourne do it," Gallen said on Thursday night.

"It wasn't something we really get frustrated with.

"It's part of the game, you know it's going to be part of the game when you play Melbourne with their wrestle.

"I don't think there was anything untoward or anything like that."

Bellamy paid tribute to his side's defence after they held out a fast-finishing Cronulla at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

After Smith helped them skip out to a 12-0 lead with two try assists in the opening eight minutes, Cronulla worked their way back to a 13-12 lead before Billy Slater put Felise Kaufusi in for a late winner.

The Storm did it with just 42 per cent of possession, and held out 36 Cronulla tackles inside their own 20-metre zone for just two tries.

"That's probably our best defensive effort of the year without a doubt," Bellamy said.

"It was real gutsy."

- AAP