Head coach likely to face sanctions for blasting referee

Canterbury head coach Trent Barrett is likely to be in the NRL’s firing line after implying referees have a preconceived idea to penalise Jack Hetherington – that is, according to the West Australian.

The Bulldogs forward has already had a five-week ban in 2021 – his sixth suspension in four years – and was pinged twice on Saturday in quick succession as Canterbury went down to leaders Penrith.

Barrett claimed after the match that he was penalised “because his name is Jack Hetherington”, which have since attracted the NRL’s attention.

The latest crackdown on high and late shots has already served to divide the NRL as players and the hierarchy become further embroiled in conflict.