How many times have we agonised over the NRL referral system, and called the ref all sorts of names because he was right there yet still referred the decision?
Has anybody thought about KFC – the lone sponsor of the ‘decision pending’ process that holds fans to ransom, waiting for confirmation to what they know to be true anyway – has a part to play?
What if the NRL sponsorship deal with KFC requires a minimum number of product endorsements throughout the game to meet the contract needs?
What if referrals produce additional revenue from the sponsorship deal? Are referees instructed to make the referrals to appease the sponsor?
If so, what cost does this cause the game?
The initial anticipation and intrigue has long past, fans now see the referral process for obvious decisions as a reason for players and refs to have a rest.
The referral process has only complicated decision making, and mitigated the control referees have over the players and the conduct of the game. I refer to the continued rushing of players at referees to refer decisions – that’s not a part of the game we all love.
The question has to be what damage this delay process is causing the game in the long term?
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