Watching last weekend’s games and the brouhaha that erupted following the controversial refereeing decisions made me think about what must be done to get it right and how it was back in my day.
The main difference when I played was that at least you could talk to the referees – and they could talk back to you.
Not that it’d change anything. But there was at least the opportunity to vent your frustrations. Nowadays, the captains of the teams are just shooed away.
The players are struggling to come to terms with that. Johnathan Thurston appealing to the referee that the Cowboys were robbed was an outcry of frustration.
The referees are miked up and recorded, and they know what they say is going to be heard by millions, especially if it’s controversial.
When I was playing, we could at least have a chat and let the referees know what we thought. I used to blow up all the time.
The worst anyone would see back then was us waving our hands, and there was a proper dialogue in place with the referees. Nowadays, you’d be called a sook.
The referees these days can’t say sorry, they can’t say they got it wrong. Too many people are listening.
They already get too much publicity. They’ll make mistakes, but we’d just like to limit them as best we can.
Bill Harrigan came out and said they got it wrong. But as a player, that’s far too late.
Mistakes will be made by referees, just like we see mistakes from our best players. But as fans, commentators, and players, what we don’t accept is that the video referee can make mistakes.
The blokes sitting up in the box just can’t get it wrong. Anything less than 100% is not acceptable.
It’s the biggest issue with all football codes.
The video referees used are the right guys. They’ve refereeed the game, they’ve been around it. When they’re up in the box, they just can’t get it wrong.
They must make the correct decision.
This benefit of the doubt stuff just doesn’t sit well with me either, and it’s a big part of the problem.
The benefit of the doubt goes with the attacking side. But that’s not right. It’s a terrible grey area for the sport.
It’s either a try or not. Any doubt should be no try. A try should only be given if it’s clear. If there’s doubt, it’s no try.
There are too many shades of grey, and they’re all around the benefit of the doubt. Remove that, we remove the grey area, we remove heartache and confusion.
The supporters who are either at the game or watching it can’t understand it. It needs to be addressed right away.
To further remove any problems, we have to open the game to the video referee. I don’t want this to mean constant stoppages.
But we should allow the video referee to examine the game across the board to make sure we get it right.
The game is all about speed and power, and constant stoppages won’t be appreciated. But I have a solution for this.
Stop the game the moment the ball goes out. If the ball is dead, stop the game. Don’t just have time-off for scrums.
This would seriously test the players both mentally and physically.
Would this change for the game for the better?
Fitness would start to be a big factor. The small men would come back into the game. Just having the biggest team wouldn’t be enough. You could further drop the interchange to just six changes if you really wanted to test fitness.
The referees have gone through a number of changes and a huge amount of work in just a few short years. It’s a tough gig.
I couldn’t do it.
I know what I used to say to them and it wasn’t pretty. But they have to get it right and the means have to be there to help them.
Matt
Guest
What are they going to do, audit and basically admit every team who's won in recent memory has cheated the cap? Except the Dragons, their team was pretty average, they just played well as a unit, as long as they could keep the opposition under 12 points or so
Meesta Cool
Guest
Hey Matt. you're wsting your time, Planko wil continue to believe in his understanding of the rule and anyone who beats his team wil be cheats!. He is correct in his assumption that Storm should not be favourites.. This Bulldogs pack is probably the best I have seen in 50 yrs. Dunno how they are keeping this team under the salary cap.. Maybe it's time for admin to put a block on the word Cheats.. at least it will help keep my blood pressure down!.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Roar Mods - yes I did. And here's the quote that annoyed me: "When they’re up in the box, they just can’t get it wrong. They must make the correct decision" It's a ridiculous statement from someone who should know better. There are so many decisions made by both on field refs and video refs that are contentious - as proven by the vigorous discussion that happens on discussion forums such as this one. Referees are human beings and will always make mistakes, no matter what technology is used. Why the censorship?
Matt
Guest
And no I follow the broncos, this call was no good for me... :)
Matt
Guest
Rules are rules, almost once a game the winger will rush in for a tackle while the centre is offloading it quickly, it'll touch the winger who is only making the tackle and has no eyes for the ball, and it's called 6 again every single time. Whether it was deliberate or not, he is the reason the ball came out directly, so 6 again (in this case, try). It's different for your hand to touch the ball then just pounding a guy and the ball coming loose.
planko
Guest
They must have got some water from the T20 have you heard about it .... IMO the storm could struggle I dont think they have a had any good runs. The bunnies were average and Manly was awful. If Manly had played well and it was in Sydney I would rate them a chance but they beat a manly side that gave them 12 drop balls. It should been 30 nil at half time.
planko
Guest
I disagree with you I think he tackled the player and the ball came out. He did not punch at anything. He tackled him. Believe or not it is allowed. You can tackle Billy Slater. The rule disagrees with you as well. A player can come in contact with the ball. Next minute you are going to tell me the opposition is not allowed to hit the ball delibrately with their shoulder to pop the ball out. It happens every game. It is still a knock on. Matt we will have to agree to disagree mate. If you are a dogs supporter Good luck on the weekend. If you are storm supporter you will need it.
steve b
Roar Guru
I think it will be played at pace the Storm are going to try and run them off their feet . The dogs will have to try and slow it down without to many penalties .i don't think after the way the Storm played last week they can be beat ..Yeah don't know about the Cowboy's next year ,Manly what the f--k happened to them , someone spiked the water , i just hope Parra can get of the bottom and show some guts .It should be an interesting time in the off season to see what the new commish are going to do in regards the rules and whether or not they are going to introduce the new tech ..Interesting times ahead mate ...
Matt
Guest
He knocked the ball out, he didn't just tackle Slater, his hand clearly punches the ball out and is the sole reason it comes out, so play on.
planko
Guest
I can deny your understanding the rules. Foran did nothing illegal Billy slater droped the ball knock on. He did not strip at the ball. I can deny what ever I want we have stormers here denying they cheated trust me I have more of leg to stand than them.
Matt
Guest
Read my comment above - you can't deny that the same thing is considered playing at the ball.
planko
Guest
Cause if it was at any other place on field it is a knock on move mate you are wrong you know it. He was not playing at the ball you can you see that he was tackling a player and the ball comes out. It is a knock on. You are going HARD ON cause it is manly everyone knows it.
Matt
Guest
Let's say it was accidental knocking it out. Ok then, why does a player who comes in to make a tackle who accidentally touches the ball get ruled as playing at it? Yet somehow Foran who knocks it out isn't counting as being ruled as playing at it? Paradox much.
Branko
Guest
My thoughts exactly, and I'm bewildered that this perspective hasn't been more discussed.
Matt
Guest
I am talking in general. Gus thinks if the other team get possession it's fine, doesn't matter if it was raked, dropped etc, no matter the amount of people in the tackle. Foran knocks the ball out, lands on the ground, slater lands on it, what's the problem?
planko
Guest
Ok Foran is alot of things but he is not 5 men. He was one man who on the line has to go for ball as it is what scores. In our game people do not score the ball does. He drops the ball then lands on it. As I have said I am just glad the game was not close. IMO the Mlebourne storm should not be favourites.
Matt
Guest
My opinion is Foran knocked it out. Even then, looks like he landed on it as it touches the ground, 50/50 that part. Yes you need to hold the ball, but to an extent. If you're in a tackle and people are knocking the ball out (which is very easy to do) it has to be realistic. Bloody Gus things 5 on 1 strips are ok you should hold onto the ball. Gee whiz, good luck holding onto the ball while 5 people try and take it off you, you'll lose that battle 9 times out of 10.
planko
Guest
Steve B agree with ya mate I am just glad the result was clear and manly played like shite so thus taking all the heat out the argument this week. I know he is signed for next year but Thurston in 2014 ? Bowen is got to be getting close he is on the wrong side of 30 ? What's happening next year are NQLD going to be up there ? I am worried about Brisbane's stubborness.... Mate Manly will struggle in the front row next season. I don't know about you but I am going to struggle to watch this game ....The GF
planko
Guest
It clearly was not deliberate look at it again. The player holding the ball has to hold on to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_OrUXLN2jQ
db swannie
Guest
Get some refs who havnt been touched by the hand of Hollywood Bill. Look at the reffing in the Qld GF yesterday..Decisions on the run,One or two looks by VR.. Brilliant reffing by ONE man on field.