Manly coach Geoff Toovey is unsure why the NRL hasn’t sanctioned North Queensland for comments after Saturday’s big refereeing blooper.
Toovey is still contesting a $10,000 fine the NRL imposed on him for comments about the refereeing in the Sea Eagles’ loss to South Sydney last month.
He feels sympathy for North Queensland’s anger over the seventh tackle referee error in their close elimination final loss to Cronulla.
But, though he chose his words with care on Monday, Toovey appeared confused by the NRL reaction to it compared to his case.
In his post-match media conference, Henry raised the far-fetched “conspiracy” word.
“If you were (a believer of) a conspiracy theory, you’d go hang on – they’re so Sydney-centric here, they don’t really care about the boys up north,” said Henry.
Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston was even more outspoken on Sunday, suggesting the Cowboys were paying for Queensland’s State of Origin dominance.
“If you’re playing for a team outside of Sydney you’re fighting up against it, no doubt about it,” said Thurston.
Faced with the obvious ref error and resulting anger and controversy, NRL head of football Todd Greenberg deemed Henry didn’t overstep the mark with his emotional comments.
Toovey wasn’t so lucky when slugged with his fine after he expressed anger at a decision to disallow a Steve Matai try.
“I think it was pretty obvious what he (Henry) was saying but it is an emotional game played by emotional men and people love that passion,” said Toovey.
“I thought my comments were very passive and I am still arguing that case.
“That’s up to the league to decide (about the Cowboys’ comments) and I am not sure what those reasons are and it would be unfair of me to comment.
“But them fining myself was very harsh, I am normally very careful about my words. I was very careful about what I said at my press conference.”
Toovey’s side will take on Cronulla on Friday night at Allianz Stadium and he said he will name injured fullback star Brett Stewart in his team on Tuesday.
Stewart missed Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to the Sydney Roosters but will be given all week to prove his fitness before a decision will be made on his availability.
Richie Fa’aoso, who went off in the first half with a head injury is likely to be passed fit.