ELVs advocate Matt Goddard calls it quits

Matt Goddard the referee his son plays in my rugby team he's Reffed maybe 4 in the last 5 years they weren't big games but yea when he did Reff them he seemed pretty fair.

Rather late in the play, but a good comment. How many times do you hear a spectator yell something to a referee totally ignorant of the law under which his ruling was made. Haven't seen any shoolboy games without referees as most teachers do the pathway course and do the games. Part of their duty statements. Generally more than enough from both schools, although some need to back-up occasionally. Where in particular is this happening?

Great to see some positive discussion on referees. Hopefully all can keep their comments well rounded. I dont think ther will ever be any real problem at the elite level... and most people who complain do not fully understand the laws, and see an issue that really isnt there. I think the bigger concern is at "Park" level. Quantity is one issue and quality is the other. We all talk the talk at the elite level, but unless we can continue to grow grassroots (or stop its decline as some may say) there is no way we can support a second tier. Seeing school boy games without a referee hurts. This is where help is needed.

You're absolutely correct...just as punctuation marks have a space after them!! LOL

Again with the assumptions. I made no attempt to repeal anything. I stand by my original comments. Go cry elsewhere if you don't like what I have to say. BTW, the contraction of you are is you're,not your.

Dissenting opinions and the tripe you wrote are two different things. Just as I thought, unqualified to make such an absurd comment (you offered nothing to substantiate your quals) so be constructive. He's better than Ayoub! If that's your lame attempt to repeal the comment, it's a dismal failure. You and Robbo would make a good pair, if your not one of the same.

well done matt. some great games. soe poor ones. but what a great career to travel the world. hope you enjoy puttin your feet up with family back home.

Yep...DP, not you Jack. It's shown as a reply specifically to that thoughtless statement, however, I see how it could be mistaken.

Cattledog ... I hope you were talking about DP and not me :)

Matt .. yes 'tongue in cheek' ... actually I like refs who can give a good card ... Subbies Grand Final a couple of years ago stands out as a good one! The points you make will hopefully get some of the readers of this site being more mindful of the way they (we) make comments ... The fact that the cards 'worked' in relation to 'ball in play' does emphasis the fact that in order to get the game we want to see, the players and the coaches should play within the rules - a more open game, fewer stoppages and less infringements. what was it? Hurricanes v Waratahs 2006? Both teams needing bonus points from a try and play continued after the final siren for about 5 minutes ... now that's rugby. On behalf of us spectators ... good luck in your future endeavours. Looking forward to the next person the same size as me to throw their weight around. :)

Thanks Chief. Thought it would have been a 'meteoric' rise if it was Jason!

Now that's a good, positive comment that will do much to further the discussion on referees and referee replacemets. NOT! He's obviously refereed games where the outcome has not been to your liking. It's very obvious you have never been behind the whistle so would have no idea whatsoever about the processes that occur constantly on the field. So you are in no position to make such a lame remark. If you have been behind the whistle, then your comment is a disgrace and certainly Matt Goddard doesn't need to hear such tripe from someone not qualified to make such a remark. I don't know Matt Goddard but have seen him referee games the same as others have. He's had better games than others, as does every referee and player for that matter. He doesn't, however, deserve such comments on his retirement. Understand what 'constructive' critisicm is and use this, if necessary. Let's see if your big enough to repeal the comment and wish him well in his future endeavours.

Saw him at the Catchpole Medal.

Firstly, I am a great fan of this site. Secondly, in regards to this quote from Jack "pity the public didn’t realise he was still injured when he was appointed to that match; blow the whistle and slow the pace down so you can keep up … almost a park-rugby mentality isn’t it!" I refereed injured for over 2 years - as most players play injured week in week ouy - it never affected my performance - other things may have. The Irony of Jack's comment is that four of the 6 yellow cards, were for deliberatly slowing the ball down and therefore slowing the game down - because I was sick and tired of teams being allowed to slow the game down when they were under pressure. The other two were for a dangerous tackle and for stomping - which you get when the Bulls play the Hurricanes. Jack I am sure your comment was tongue in cheek - but if there was a list of referees and their tolerances for having the game slowed down and their willingness to do something about it - I would have been up the top somewhere to my own detriment most weeks. The other interesting point is that the statistics from that game show a below average number of stoppages and FK/PK. In fact the last 27 mins had two stoppages at the break down! Ironically the first half of my career was plagued with complaints that I never used any cards......Consider NSW v QLD 2006 I think (maybe 2007) when Phil Waugh and David Croft went hammer and tongs for eighty minutes, both finished the game on the field dripping with blood. Thats rugby! Much criticsm that week too. A referee cant win and he doesnt seek to - just does his best with whats dished up in front of him. Regards

Chief, is that Jason Lees?

I've also heard a similar thing regarding Leckie being droppped completely by the ARU, but my understanding of it was so that Walsh would be able to be offered a full time contract (i.e. the space made up for by Leckie). Now that Goddard has retired, perhaps Leckie will be re-offered his place? I certainly hope so, I believe Leckie is actually a good referee and deserves a chance to go further. Not really sold on Marks, however, both Nathan Pearce and Ian Smith have been to NZ and SA respectively to referee in their domestic competitions. Agree about the comments with Lees and Mitchelmore the most likely 'fresh blood' to come through, however, there are some other referees on the 'B' Panel who are regualrly in the Shute Shield (Angus Gardner and Steve Hardy) who I believe have massive potential, say within 3-5 years. Dickinson and Walsh are obviously the top 2 in Oz and deserve to be, and I hope that both are selected for 2011 World Cup. The likes of Smith and Pearce are the future of Australian refereeing, however, there definately other referees in the B Panel who are ready for the future - all they need is further exposure to bigger games

I thought his shortcoming was he got on the drink too much?

Good riddance to him.