Canterbury-Bankstown coach Des Hasler was in fine, mischievous form while fronting the media yesterday when he referred to match officials as ‘Voldemorts’; the iconic JK Rowling villain and arch-nemesis to Harry Potter.

Hasler was slapped with a $10,000 suspended fine by the NRL after suggesting that the match referee’s face their own post-game press conference to explain their decisions. Those comments came after Canterbury’s loss to Penrith on Sunday afternoon.

In response to the NRL’s handing down of their sentence today the Bulldogs coach showed why he is fast becoming the most entertaining coach in the game.

When asked for his thoughts on the NRL’s tough new stance on coaches commenting on referees Hasler was at his meddling best.

“When it comes to understanding the policy about he whose name you cannot mention – let’s call him Voldemort – I clearly understand the policy, paragraph 31 sub-clause two, that ‘comment on’ means just that”.

“So you can’t say anything nice about them. You can’t say anything positive about them. You can’t say anything about the Voldemorts. If you’re an advocate for free speech it’s not too good”.

Those familiar with the Harry Potter books and movies would immediately understand the reference.

‘He who must not be named’ is used to allude to the dark lord by those afraid to invoke his name.

The NRL’s drastic new rules outlawing any post-game mention of match officials must invoke similar fears throughout the NRL’s coaching ranks.

We can only hope Hasler is able to lead his fellow coaching wizards in the battle against Voldemort and his ‘Death Eaters’.