Flanagan not happy with referees this time around

Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has taken aim at the Referees Bunker and prop Andrew Fifita after his side lost 12-10 to the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

When asked where the game was lost Flanagan said "with a couple of decisions in my book".

Just a day after praising the NRL Bunker for its transparency in admitting its mistakes, Flanagan turned on the video review officials on Thursday night.

The no-try ruling against Ricky Leutele in the 26th minute was the major bone of contention, where the Sharks centre appeared to put the ball down on Jamayne Isaako's right foot as he was rolled over on his back by Jordan Kahu just before half-time.

The on-field ruling by Grant Atkins was try but he referred to the Bunker for clarification, which over-turned that decision.

"With the 'no try' to Ricky Leutele the Bunker has got to have sufficient evidence that the ball didn't touch the ground," Flangan said. 

"I watched every replay and it was a brave call to say that the ball didn't touch the ground. He's got to have sufficient evidence to over-rule the referee," Flanagan said.

"I think any fair judge would find it hard to find sufficient evidence to over-rule that decision. That refereeing standard today wasn't up to scratch."

Flanagan also pointed to a penalty against Matt Moylan when he was ruled to have put Isaako in a dangerous position after the pair collided as the Broncos fullback went to catch a short drop-out and subsequently landed on his head.

A ruling of a knock-on against Matt Prior in a one-on-one strip also did not please the Cronulla coach.

Jordan Kahu kicking a penalty in the 48th minute penalty to give the Broncos a 12-10 lead, ended up being how the scores finished. The last 30 minutes was simply dogged defence by both sides.

The Sharks got the rub of the green in the win over the Raiders the previous week, a reality Flangan acknowledged.

"We were on the receiving end last week and the opposite this week," he said.

It was put to Flanagan that Fifita was brave and played strongly after suffering a stomach bug and leaving the field after 26 minutes before returning to play out the match making 131 metres from 18 runs, including six tackle breaks. Fifita also made 24 tackles.

"I don't think it was one of Andrew's better games. If that is your opinion of Andrew's game that's nice, but in his standards and our standards it wasn't one of his better ones," he said.

Flanagan did agree his side was brave and the effort was there. 

Captain Paul Gallen said it was a game the Sharks "should have got done" and won.

"We had opportunities at the back end of the game and didn't execute," Gallen said.

"You've got to give them a bit of credit. They defended well but...Chad Townsend was under enormous pressure and we are not listening to him at times. That is a hard loss. We should have won."

Flanagan said fullback Valentine Holmes impressed him with another two-try display to take his season tally to 17 tries from 18 club games this season.