Pay calls for common sense after Smith sin binning

Canterbury coach Dean Pay has joined the growing chorus of coaches calling for common sense after Chris Smith was sin binned late in the 18-16 win over the Wests Tigers.

Wests Tigers forward Luke Garner was pinned earlier in the match for a similar tackle on Lachlan Lewis as the growing trend of sending players from the field for hits off the ball continues.

"It's hard for the referees because they're obviously instructed to have a look at those incidents," a measured Pay said. 

"I didn't think there was much in it [the Smith incident]. They've just got to have a feel for the game, I think that's the biggest part of it.

"There's some smarter people than me that have said that about our footy at the moment. I think it's true, too. There's toughness in our game and people want to see that.

"We don't want to see cheap shots and I'm not going down that road but it's about the toughness in the game and getting a feel for the game.

"I feel the referees are over-coached, they're probably given too much information. They need to get a feel for the game."

The loss of Smith gave the Tigers a late sniff as they marched down field and Benji Marshall put Garner over for a try to make the score 18-16 to the Bulldogs.

Paul Momirovski stepped up for the conversion to send the game to golden point but he sprayed the kick and the Tigers were sunk.

Pay said he felt for Momirovski in the moment, while adding his delight at his own side's recent run of form.

"We're four from six since the break and said we wanted to finish the season strongly," Pay said.

"They're competing hard and the young boys are getting better. We're getting some consistency in our spine."

The Bulldogs are quietly confident Kieran Foran could make a return for next week's clash against South Sydney but Pay joked he'd been saying that same line for a while now.

"We're hopeful, very hopeful. He's working very hard on his rehab but I keep saying he'll be right for next week so I'm going to stop saying that and when he's ready he'll be ready," Pay said.

"I think it's important if he's 100 percent fit to play him. He works so hard with his recovery and rehab he wants to get back and play.

"I'm not going to stand in his way. He's a quality player and is going to help our young blokes."