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Owner of independent rugby league site nothingbutleague.com. Penrith Panthers fan. Ex junior rugby league referee Penrith (1994-2004).
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Last Friday evening Peter V’landys and the leading referees made a breakthrough in negotiations over this week’s discussions between the NRL and the referees…
Take the emotions out of Tonga going within a whisker of making the Rugby League World Cup final in Brisbane next Saturday – referee…
The NRL need to hang their head in shame for allowing the registration of controversial 22-year-old forward Matthew Lodge. Lodge lost his right to…
On Wednesday night, Penrith Panther Sam McKendry was handed a one-match suspension for touching referee Jared Maxwell in their 20-16 victory at Allianz Stadium…
When it was announced mid-week that Matt Moylan would captain the Penrith Panthers in 2016, I was initially surprised. The 24-year-old has only played…
On the same weekend that Eden Park hosts the NRL Nines tournament, Penrith Panthers will send a team to Port Moresby to open Papua…
Ivan Cleary appeared to have one of the safest coaching positions in rugby league, that was until the mayhem on Tuesday forced him out…
If everything goes to plan this week Sandor Earl is set to return to the NRL following the ASADA judgment being handed down. Last…
British rugby league player Keegan Hirst proudly came out of the closet over the weekend to announce he was gay. Hirst, 27, opened up…
In my time as a rugby league referee in the Penrith Junior Rugby League it was common for top-level players to head out to…
Walter, I think it could be made worse with less scrutiny over the ruck with wrestling tactics. The Captains Challenge is a good concept, but unless we get 360 angle cameras which can see what happens in a tackle, it’s prone to being wrong too – given there’s a human judgement involved.
Don't expect a smooth transition to one on-field referee
Andrew, I think the description of WWIII was more at what the media was making out to be the issue, the unions who were within their rights to argue the EBA to the NRL. I am sure there were hidden agenda’s behind James Hooper’s story about the union boss and his part-time job.
Time will judge what V’landys does to the game. I think the key for him is media support, but that will never last.
I would love to see stats around play the ball average speed 2019 vs 2020 post one ref.
Don't expect a smooth transition to one on-field referee
Hi Paul, the proof will be in how the ruck is controlled. Usually the pocket referee is in a better position to see if the ball is lost through a mistake, or human intervention. I think there will be a lot of guesswork coming the way of the on-field ref. If play is mid-field, the linesman is relying on making a call when they are 35 metres across from the play.
What you find at international level is a drop in intensity from the week-in-week-out NRL. It’s more of a showpiece for the game to play good footy. In my experiences at a junior level you have different things to look at from a linesman perspective, compared to an on-field ref. The linesman is responsible for keeping an eye on backplay, better line of judgement on forward passes were as an on-field ref is keeping track of where the ball is on-field.
As it’s been told today in some reports the senior refs went behind the back of the union, so that kinda sucks.
Don't expect a smooth transition to one on-field referee
Thanks Monorchid – not sure about the date thing – thats the site’s timestamp.
22 is the full-time employed NRL squad.
I am not sure the Bunker is suffering the same cuts as the on-field officials. If they aren’t that’s absolutely crazy!
We are in for a big next few weeks. The NRL might wish they didn’t do a deal with the full time refs behind the union’s back.
Don't expect a smooth transition to one on-field referee
Interesting comment. You are talking about three situations over the last 3 years. One a year out of over 200 NRL games. That’s less than 0.5% error rate. What about the ones they get right, too?
Don't expect a smooth transition to one on-field referee
Very impressive article and insights into referees and the mainstream media – good on you for calling them out.
NRL refs are victims of dinosaur fans and gutter journalism
In my opinion JT has played on one season too long. He lacks enthusiasm and it’s showing on the Cowboys overall game. Unfortunately in this age of the game players are driven by money, and looking after their families post career. I don’t blame him for playing on to support his family’s future, but it’s doing nothing to help the Cowboys as a club succeed.
JT's game is broken and cannot be fixed
My question in return is, did Sandor Earl deserve a worse ban than Matt Lodge? He made what people would consider a lesser mistake than Lodge.
Matt Lodge doesn't deserve a second chance
He could have ended up in jail – that’s the reality. Lucky for him it was a huge payout.
Matt Lodge doesn't deserve a second chance
Yes, he has served his ban, but the question is whether the NRL are doing the right thing by registering him when they are trying to promote the image of how football players treat women.
He made a HUGE mistake not once, but on multiple occasions. Can he be reformed?
Matt Lodge doesn't deserve a second chance
Agreed. There should be a ‘no tolerance’ stance not matter if they are reformed.
Matt Lodge doesn't deserve a second chance
I think Moylan naturally is a ball player. I read somewhere once about his touch football skills and with that type of player you want them in possession 2 or 3 times a set, not just in the opponent’s red zone.
Moylan as captain a move in the right direction
I’m not saying the backline is my preferred line-up, but it appears this is the way Anthony Griffin will go whether its in Canberra in game 1, or sometime later in the season.
A lot of the thought was based on Griffin’s relationship with Wallace at Brisbane. In public the relationship is good but I’m not sure it’s the case behind closed doors.
As for Soward, ‘shopped around’ and couldn’t complete a full season last season. Is his back problem still an issue that he will just manage for the rest of his career? I’m sure Griffin wants to have a fit and injury free side given the casualty ward over the last two years
Moylan as captain a move in the right direction
That’s the $64 question. I think he will end up being a great captain of the club. But to be effective, he must play up in the front line.
Moylan as captain a move in the right direction
it was their second year in the comp and after a slow start they won an extraordinary amount of matches on their way to the finals. The fact they prefer to recruit from within is wonderful for the game in PNG. Let’s hope that translates to World Cup success in 2017.
Is there a future for the NRL in PNG?
Their ‘advantage’ is nullified by the cost of running the club. Did you know that the QRL don’t help out the Hunters in respect to travel and accommodation, and I tend to remember they need to pay for QLD based clubs to play at their home.
Is there a future for the NRL in PNG?
Here’s the article associated with PNG Hunters missing a home final
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-16/cost-and-contracts-behind-qrls-decision-to-deny/6779304
Is there a future for the NRL in PNG?
Phil, we’ll agree to disagree. Sutton is best placed because out of the current crop, he is streets ahead.
Maybe Phil if you understand how referee’s and touch judges are graded, you may be unqualified to understand the process. Very few linesmen become refs after being graded, and vice versa.
Do you understand that almost all the linesman in round 2 were part-timers and now they’re gone?
Don't expect a smooth transition to one on-field referee