Warriors coach Andrew Webster denied suggestions Sitili Tupouniua should have been sent to the sin bin, instead putting the focus back onto his team.
Tupouniua flew into a tackle on Marcelo Montoya before a replay was shown after an Adam Pompey error in the 59th minute.
The crowd erupted before referee Chris Butler waved away any foul play, stating “it has been cleared” as Warriors players protested.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Shane Flanagan said the decision was “tricky” and reporters quizzed Webster about the contentious tackle in the post-match press conference.
To make matters worse, Tupouniua scored from a Brandon Smith grubber only four tackles later to take a 14-0 lead.
“No excuses, none… nothing on that, we were the ones that had the impact on the result tonight,” Webster said.
“They decided it wasn’t a shoulder charge, that’s the difference they have time to look at it in the Bunker and they obviously feel that it’s not.
“Yeah, I continue not to talk about it… did I think it was a shoulder charge? I don’t know, I’ll leave it at that.”
Webster was against questioned about the potential shoulder charge but shut the question down in a respectful manner.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Tigers knock off Panthers to end drought | 07:54
MORE NRL NEWS
FLANAGAN: Manly coach denies rumours of immediate Flanagan deal
‘NO ONE HAS GOT ANSWERS’: Cleary’s dig at NRL bosses after hip-drop drama
STUART PRESSER: Ricky calls out ‘lies’ as emotional press conference cut short
‘FELT DIFFERENT’: DCE’s Turbo admission as Manly ‘got what we deserved’
“I’ve just said this from word go, every press conference this year someone has spoken about a referee, or a decision, or a moment,” Webster said.
“And I get it, they are probably looking for me to make a stupid comment which I get because it gives you a story to write.
“But what happens next, we can control that. No one else can control that, it’s not going to be perfect and the ref isn’t always going to be getting it right.
“I get frustrated at times like anyone, at the end of the day they scored after that because of us not because of referee decisions or the Bunker.
“I’m like anyone I get frustrated and you are probably sitting here (thinking), because I don’t yell and blow up, and get fined, that I don’t.
“It’s just a part of the game and we can control what happens next.”
