May 22, 2026 — 7:30pmIf Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was left confused at full-time by some of the decisions during Thursday’s loss to the Dolphins, he won’t be happy when he learns the NRL were satisfied his four main gripes were ruled correctly on the night.Stuart’s post-match press conference lasted 111 seconds, and while he conceded the Dolphins deserved the 30-22 win, some of the calls had left him baffled.“You can’t have a rule and apply it one week and not the next week; I’ve never been so confused, and it’s disappointing, because I love the game,” Stuart said.The veteran Raiders mentor was not commenting on Friday, but sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed there were four incidents that had left the club stunned, and would have been officiated differently any other week.The first involved Dolphins flyer Jack Bostock leaping for an Isaiya Katoa kick, which led to Raiders winger Savelio Tamale spilling the ball.The Raiders led 6-0 at the time, the Dolphins were given a fresh set, and scored a minute later. Canberra officials were convinced Bostock should have been penalised for a disruptor given he came down a metre away from the ball.The second incident was a 58th-minute penalty when Raiders second-rower Ata Mariota steamed through the defensive line and Canberra was penalised for an obstruction, even though the ball carrier Daine Laurie was aware of what had happened and immediately went to ground.“That was one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time,” one Raiders official said.In the 69th minute, Bostock appeared to tackle Tamale in the air and the Raiders weren’t awarded a penalty. It forced a drop-out. Referee Todd Smith asked Canberra captain Joe Tapine if he wanted to challenge the ruling, which he didn’t.And in the 78th minute, Matt Timoko was penalised for dissent after Canberra were warned about back chat earlier in the game at the other end of the field.Raiders officials said Timoko’s frustrations were no different to the reactions of players at other clubs, including Parramatta’s Mitch Moses and Brisbane’s Reece Walsh.NRL sources not authorised to speak publicly said the decisions had been reviewed and were all supported. Regarding the Laurie penalty, the sources confirmed Laurie had accelerated behind the lead runner, and Smith blew his whistle as the player surrendered. They also believed Bostock was making a genuine attempt to catch the ball on both occasions.Stuart also made it known in the sheds to club officials how he was surprised by the speed of the ruck, and how the Dolphins realised – and did well – to work out how far they could slow things down after their first defensive set of the game.The veteran coach has become so frustrated with the recent officiating that he will not bother asking the NRL for any explanations.“The game has interpretations and rules, and we’re in a position where we’re picking and choosing when we apply them, and it’s a very frustrating situation for those who are involved,” Stuart said.“In all the years I’ve been involved in the game as a coach, I’ve never been so confused. It’s disappointing, to say the least.”Stuart’s former Raiders teammate Laurie Daley is coaching NSW, but he confirmed he would not seek any meetings with the NRL regarding how next Wednesday’s Origin I will be officiated, or what areas may be a focal point for top whistleblower Ashley Klein.From our partners