Referee Tony Archer has warned Melbourne and Parramatta not to be surprised if an eight-point try is awarded in Sunday's NRL grand final.
Archer and Shayne Hayne have been named as the referees for this year's decider - the first to use the two-referee system.
The 2007 and 2008 grand final referee said he and Hayne would have no qualms awarding a potentially match-deciding eight-point try if the situation arose.
An eight-pointer was awarded to the Bulldogs in Friday's preliminary final loss to the Eels after Jarryd Hayne's leg-first tackle on Bryson Goodwin, though Hazem El Masri missed the first conversion.
"I think all the players are aware that it could happen," Archer said.
"They've happened in really high-profile games too. Certainly one in the Origin that we were involved in and there was one on Friday night [in Parramatta's preliminary final win].
"If they do not know, I am sure their coaches will be making them well aware that option is available to the referees."
NRL chief executive David Gallop praised the two-referee system before announcing Archer and Hayne, saying it had ensured an exciting brand of football in 2009.
The system, which was only introduced at the start of the season and will be used in a grand final for the first time on Sunday, also got a tick from Archer.
"I think everyone knows that the football this year has been excellent and in part that's been contributed by the two referees," he said.
"Certainly, the game is more continuous, there are less stoppages and no doubt the two referees have added to that."
- AAP
NRL: Eight-point warning
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