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Tomorrow night we will see how much say and sway Todd Greenberg has in the game.
South Sydney and their arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters will engage in a game tantamount to a pre-finals ‘final’.
So much hangs on the line, tempers will flare, and strong, consistent control will be needed from the whistle-blowers.
There can be no player back-chat, arguing or debating with match officials. In short, players should ignore Greenberg’s authority at their peril.
In the past week, the NRL’s Head of Football shook a figurative fist at mouthy players and weak-kneed referees whose action – and inaction – triggered a spate of ordinary headlines.
Greenberg insists the NRL will come down hard on players who badger referees. I’d like to see that, and I’m sure all league fans share my wish. Greenberg also ordered Refs’ boss Tony Archer to instruct his men to punish any player who tried to “chat” with them at unauthorised times in the game.
The league’s get-tough policy comes as a knee-jerk reaction to last Thursday’s Canterbury versus Souths game at ANZ Stadium.
Bulldogs captain Michael Ennis had a running battle with referee Gerard Sutton, with every minute aspect of the feud captured by the TV cameras and microphones. It was not a good look for the code and a savage public reaction forced Greenberg to the front foot.
“Let’s be clear,” Greenberg said, “for penalties with no caution or warning, there will be no communication between the referee, captain or any player.
“That reminder has been communicated to the referees through Tony Archer and players and clubs should listen carefully to ensure they comply.
“Players and referees are both at fault. We cannot have players badgering the referees to get an unfair advantage. We have reminded referees that they should only allow captains to approach them during the major breaks in play.
“There is to be no more badgering of referees after penalties and scrums. Fans want the game to keep moving and we have the rules in place to ensure that happens.
“Now it’s up to the referees to enforce it. The referees require leadership and a sense of direction and I am determined to provide that.”
Well, Mr Greenberg, that’s a line drawn in the sand if ever I’ve seen one.
If the NRL crackdown is enforced in every game in this final round, there could be lots of extra penalties and some pretty peed-off players, coaches and fans. Penalties invariably affect momentum and, so late in the season, have the potential to decide a team’s fate.
If the clubs fail to take heed of Greenberg’s warnings, Round 26 could be a squeal-athon. If his directives are not followed, there could be a dozen more penalties in each contest, sin binnings and maybe even send-offs for repeated dissent.
I wouldn’t mind seeing that, if it meant that referees and not time-wasting, argumentative skippers actually rule the roost in the finals.
Heaven forbid, some top-quality football might even break out.
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