Storm boss Dave Donaghy on Thursday came out swinging after an extraordinary attack on Melbourne by Rabbitohs general manager of football Shane Richardson.
After their 10-point loss last round, Richardson questioned the Storm's wrestling tactics, leniency from the NRL judiciary and the special treatment afforded to Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith.
Donaghy responded by describing Richardson's comments as "stupid" and that he was a puppet for Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett.
"I don't think Shane believes anything he's said, there's the master puppeteer in the background, and when you're team's a bit down you're looking to deflect attention," Donaghy told AAP.
"Shane's been around the game for a long time and I've got enormous respect for him but he probably should have just had a cup to tea and a lie down mid-afternoon before saying comments as stupid as those."
Donaghy said the Storm had gone to the length of checking with the NRL this week that their tactics were above board.
"The reality is that we play within the spirit of the game and within the rules and we've checked with the NRL in the last 48 hours to ensure if there's any challenges around that they'd let us know and they've assured us that there aren't," he said.
"We expect that the officials will continue to officiate what's in front of them rather than be influenced by external white noise and hot air."
Read the full story here.
