Manly coach Geoff Toovey is confident referees have finally formed a common sense and workable approach to the controversial obstruction rule ahead of the NRL final series.

A vocal critic of the interpretation of the obstruction rule for much of the season, Toovey said he still held reservations about Canterbury’s use of decoy runners going into Friday night’s qualifying final.

But the Sea Eagles mentor was hopeful referee’s coach Bill Harrigan was on top of the issue.

“They (the Bulldogs) play a a lot of second phase stuff, with their decoy runners interfering to give Benny Barba a bit of space out wide and I’m sure it is something the referees will look at,” Toovey said.

“Those decoy runners are checking defensive players and that could be vital in the semi-finals.

“It’s those little things they need to be focusing on come semi-finals because it could cost a team some points.

“I think they (the referees) are smart enough to know, they have done enough research I am sure they are onto it.”

Two weeks ago Harrigan sent out a DVD to all clubs outlining what is deemed and obstruction and what isn’t.

He also put his men through a crash course in the working of the rule.

But Canterbury’s use of decoy runners was again an issue in their 42-10 defeat of Sydney Roosters last weekend with Roosters captain Braith Anasta repeatedly claiming his team’s defenders were illegally taken out by Bulldogs decoys.

Toovey said hadn’t seen enough of the game to comment and he would not be discussing the issue with Harrigan in the lead-up to Friday.

“I have done a bit of that in the past, it hasn’t helped much,” Toovey said.

“I’m sure, hopefully, it won’t be a problem in the semi-finals.

“It has been a clouded area throughout this year. The only thing I am disappointed about is that is has taken this long to do something about it. It is probably a bit late.”