Mahoney has already been binned once earlier this year for antagonising Newcastle’s Jack Hetherington,who toldNews Limited papers at the time:“I hate a little smart arse who runs in like he does.”

Annesley said there was no crime in a player being annoying,but they did risk being sanctioned if they took things too far.

“The referees have complete control over everything the players do on the field,so if they think a player over-steps the mark,they have the power to take action,” Annesley told this masthead.

“Playing the game aggressively is not in itself against the laws. Referees draw a line in the sand,the players need to know where that line in the sand is.

“Referees don’t target particular players – they respond to incidents,not players. Whether it’s Reed Mahoney or anyone else,referees respond to specific incidents,and whether it requires action on the field,be it a penalty through to a send-off.”

When pressed if excessive niggling was a bad look for the game,Annesley said:“Refs have the power to take action against any player who goes too far. They can bin players for over-aggressive play,even too much talk to another player. But they will never go out and target one player.”

James Maloney,Mick Ennis and even the great Wally Lewis were great nigglers,but also did so in an era when they knew they risked being punched,something that has since been outlawed from the modern game.

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