After watching the game between the Rabbitohs and the Roosters and reading comments made on The Roar, it looks like there is a strange trend emerging.
Quite often the same thing can occur, but be subject to two wildly different interpretations. The debate whether Michael Jennings should have received an eight-point penalty try divides fans (see video below).
This can frustrate supporters and has the potential to turn a match.
So what do we do? The answer is quite simple and comes from the NBA and is called the video rulebook.
I first found out about the video rulebook from some American sailors that I befriended in Perth and took to the football.
We visited all major codes. Being Yanks they didn’t care for the A-League, and had a little trouble understanding the AFL. At the Western Force match, as they were familiar with rugby union we mostly discussed Australian beer v American (water passed off as) beer.
When we went to see South Sydney v Brisbane at NiB stadium, they enjoyed the match and began to develop an interest in rugby league. When we discussed varying interpretations by referees, they clued me in to the NBA’s video rulebook.
This enables referees to assess situations based on previous interpretations, making rules more consistent.
Imagine, if you will, all the referees calling the game in the same way. No mixed up interpretations and no confusion.
Issues like cannonball tackles, knock ons (ala Greg Inglis in State of Origin) and downward pressure would be settled once and for all.
This would go a long way to stopping debate over interpretations.
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