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Whenever someone writes about how the referee’s boss, Robert Finch, should be sacked, they will always come across as a disgruntled fan that is just overreacting.
However, it is amazing that Robert Finch has held onto this job for so long. His reign in this position has been nothing short of any utter failure.
Importantly, the fact that his son plays for the Melbourne Storm is another reason why he should no longer remain in this position.
Robert Finch’s Incompetence
Although Robert Finch cannot be directly blamed for some of the shocking calls that have been made over the past few NRL seasons, he can be blamed for the fact that these mistakes are still occurring. It his job to make the rule and interpretation changes needed to stop blatant forward passes, silly video ref decisions and ridiculous stripping calls.
He has failed to do this, and when he has done it, it has taken him far too long to implement the changes needed.
Also, he can be blamed for the fact that the same referees that have continually stuffed up are still refereeing in the top grade.
Robert Finch and the conflict of interest that exists
Robert Finch is the father of the Melbourne Storm player Brett Finch. Ordinarily I don’t accuse someone of bias, and I am not doing so in this instance.
However, I am very concerned by the fact a referee could be placed in a position to penalise, caution or send off Brett Finch for committing an illegal act. This referee is answerable to Robert Finch.
Do you honestly think that any NRL referee, placed in this predicament, would not be a little gun shy to throw the book at Brett Finch if he clearly breaches the law.
I am not saying Brett Finch is never penalised, but I doubt Brett Finch will ever be sent off for nothing the way Jason Ryles was a few years ago down in Melbourne.
If there was one team that have pushed the rules in the NRL, it’s the Melbourne Storm.
These are the grubs that brought us the crusher tackle, the grapple tackle and every other choking and wrestling technique you can think of. All this time, while players were having the spines twisted in tackles by the likes of Sika Manu and Adam Blair, it is Brett Finch’s father that has to decide on what policy the NRL should implement.
Do you think Robert Finch is ever going to have the guts to come out and blatantly call out the Storm for what they are…a dirty side that bends the rules to get any advantage they can? Clearly not, as this could see his son cop a little flack at training by old Belly Ache.
My point is simple.
The standard of refereeing is in terminal decline and Robert Finch must bear some responsibility for this.
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