Annesley also confirmed Melbourne did nothing wrong on Friday when they tactically used a free interchange to replace five-eighth Cameron Munster with Nelson Asofa-Solomona after a high shot from Roosters lock Victor Radley, who was sin binned.
Munster went back on the field 30 seconds later having been checked by a doctor, swapping with Christian Welch, and the Storm had effectively rotated their props without cost.
"There's a bit of confusion that's been reigning about two different rules," Annesley said.
"The first is a rule that's been in our operational guidelines for probably the best part of a couple of decades. And that is about a free interchange if a player is injured as a result of foul play.
"So that means if a player is put on report, sin binned or sent off and the player who is the victim of that foul play comes off the field, they get a free interchange for that.
"That rule is not a new rule. It's been around for a long time ... What the Storm did in relation to that rule was legitimately within the rules," Annesley said.
Where the confusion has stemmed from, Annesley said, is the introduction of an 18th player, who can only come into the action if a teammate is ruled out for the match after foul play that resulted in the offender being sin-binned or sent off.
From NRL.com
At least they aren't even trying to pretend they are professional anymore. Because I didn't see Munster getting checked by a doctor in the 5 seconds he was off the field.