Canterbury Bulldogs coach Des Hasler has apologised for the actions of some of his club's supporters after the Bulldogs' bitter 18-17 defeat by South Sydney in a controversial rematch of last season's grand final in Sydney.
Bulldogs fans at the 2014 NRL grand final Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Bulldogs led the Rabbitohs by a point until the final minute at ANZ Stadium, when a penalty was awarded and converted for a Dogs player catching the standing leg of Souths playmaker Adam Reynolds, as he attempted a long-range field goal.
Referee Gerard Sutton penalised the Bulldogs captain James Graham for the offence, putting him on report for the incident that saw Reynolds leave the ground on crutches and in a knee brace.
Sutton then invoked the NRL rulebook which states that if a player impedes an opponent when attempting a field goal the penalty will be taken from 10 metres out.
Graham was livid at the decision and he and fellow prop David Klemmer surrounded Sutton with Klemmer sin-binned for yelling: "You're off your fu......ing face," in the face of the lead official.
Sutton and his team of officials were then showered with objects thrown from the crowd as they made their way off the field.
And interchange official Darren Alchin was taken to hospital with a suspected broken shoulder after allegedly being struck by a plastic bottle and then slipping over.
Despite his frustration at the defeat Hasler says the behaviour is not acceptable.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler Photo: Photosport
"I just want to offer an apology on behalf of the club," Hasler says. "I've been to see the refereeing official who was I think struck by a projectile, he's okay but that is not us, that is not what this club is about and it's not what sport in this country is about."
"Unfortunately the behaviour of a few can kind of ruin it and spoil it for everybody.
"On behalf of all the officials and the players and everybody involved with the club, our sincerest apologies for what appeared and it won't happen again."
Graham conceded his behaviour wouldn't have looked good on TV and said his emotions ran away with him.
"It's not ideal.I don't want it to get like football (soccer) players where you are bombarding referees after decisions," Graham says.
"But when it's so close to the end... I thought the decision that went against us was wrong, but it is what it is."
"I suppose when you have invested that much energy trying to get the two points and with a minute and 20 seconds remaining it is taken away from you sometimes the emotion gets the better of you."
Hasler kept tight-lipped about the performance of the referees after he was stung with a $10,000 suspended fine by the NRL after round one.
The Gold Coast Titans also beat the visiting Brisbane Broncos 26-16.
