NRL referees boss Robert Finch admits video is killing the rugby league star, but insists there's very little that can be done about it.
The game's broadcasters believe Saturday's snore-fest between the Panthers and Bulldogs could have been the longest match in the code's history, with almost 16 minutes of stoppages stretching it out to a 96-minute marathon.
Now, with players, coaches and fans calling for a return to the good ol' days of continuous, free-flowing rugby league - Finch has responded.
"The more we involve technology, the longer the game will go for," Finch told News Limited.
"One of the greatest assets is its continuity and the video referee impacts on that.
"The problem is that everyone wants perfection, and in seeking that we impact on one of the best aspects of rugby league. We certainly don't want the game to become like NFL."
Finch's son, Brett, recently admitted the game was becoming 'boring', and he leads a chorus which is growing ever louder.
Roosters coach Brad Fittler insists there is no place for the video referee in the NRL.
"The reason why our game has been so great is the fatigue factor, and we are breaking that down and stifling the football," he told News Limited.
"There's a place for the video referee and that's in-goal. The bloke in the middle and the touch judges should make the rest of the decisions themselves."
But with fans fed up with incorrect decisions costing teams games, Finch said the time taken to get a call correct is a necessary evil.
"People who want to criticise, should get up in the box and see how hard it is," Finch said.
"The bloke up there has to make a call and if he's wrong, he'll be crucified."
Finch's solution?
"If we are not going to review the lead-up to tries or strips, then I'd ask the broadcasters not to show slow-motion replays of those incidents," he said.
"It doesn't seem fair that the technology can't be used to get things right, but can be used to criticise referees."
