Since the commencement of the NRL season there has been a train of thought that referee Jared Maxwell relies too heavily on the new NRL video bunker.
We thought we would follow Maxwell around for a day to determine if he does in fact rely on it a tad too much.
Here is a day in the life of referee Jared Maxwell.
Maxwell wakes up and looks at his mobile phone immediately to see the time is 10:30 am. He had a meeting with referee’s coach Tony Archer at 9:00am at NRL headquarters. His wife begins to stir next to him.
Maxwell: Jesus Christ! Darl. Darl! My bloody iPhone alarm didn’t go off again!
Mrs. Maxwell: Jared, are you sure you set your alarm? You know how forgetful you’re becoming.
Maxwell: Rubbish! Of course I set my alarm darl! It’s this bloody phone! It’s on the fritz I tell ya.
Mrs. Maxwell: Are you positive you set the alarm?
Maxwell: I better check with the bunker.
Mrs. Maxwell: No Jared, not again. Leave them alone…
Maxwell: (calling the video bunker) Hi yes, I just want to confirm the 9:00am alarm was set on my iPhone last night?
Bunker: Jared, this is a gross misuse of this technology…
Maxwell: Please confirm whether or not the alarm was set! I have a meeting with Tony Archer!
Bunker: (sighs) Vision in the top left corner of the screen shows that no alarm was set for this morning Jared.
Maxwell: Shit!
Outside NRL headquarters, now two and a half hours late for his meeting with referee boss, Tony Archer, Maxwell finds the perfect parking spot in front of the building. The only problem is that it requires Maxwell to execute a parallel park, not one of his strong suits.
Maxwell: (on his phone) Bunker! I’m just outside NRL headquarters, still running late for that meeting with Tony Archer, need confirmation on this parallel park.
Bunker: Jared, this can’t continue mate, I could lose my job. It’s getting beyond a joke.
Maxwell: Please! I’m shocking with parallel parks! I need to make this as quick as possible. And I think it’s Todd Greenberg’s car behind me. I don’t want to ding it.
Bunker: Ok Jared, bottom right vision has you coming in perfectly. Come back, come back, stop. Move forward, straighten, now reverse. Come back, come back, stop. There. Parallel park perfectly done. Oh and our records show it isn’t Greenberg’s car, it is in fact Ricky Stuart’s car that’s behind you.
Maxwell: Really?
Maxwell then repeatedly reverses his car into Stuart’s.
Maxwell finally makes it into the conference room with Tony Archer. After being chastised for his tardiness, the meeting gets under way.
Archer: Look Jared, I asked you along for this chat because prior to the season’s commencement you assured me that you weren’t going to rely too heavily on the video bunker. I turn on the Rabbitohs/Roosters match on Sunday to see you reviewing everything.
Maxwell: I never said I wouldn’t rely on the video bunker.
Archer: On the 25th of February you explicitly assured me that you would not use the video bunker as a crutch.
Maxwell pulls out his mobile and holds up a finger to Archer as if to say, “one moment please”, much to Archer’s surprise.
Maxwell: Yes bunker, it’s me again, can we confirm whether or not I promised Mr. Archer here that I wouldn’t use the bunker as much?
Bunker: Gladly.
Maxwell: (whispers to Archer) Bunker’s on it.
Archer: (shaking his head in disbelief) Unbelievable.
Bunker: All four screens confirm that you did in fact promise Mr. Archer that you wouldn’t use the bunker too often.
Maxwell: Oops….
Peter Rogers
Guest
His referiing of the Broncos / Gold Coast is discusting He obviously has a bet on the Broncos I do not barrack for either team But maybe the match fixing enquiring police should look at referees after tonight
JP
Guest
Maxwell needs every bit of help he can get. He got a lot wrong on the weekend which altered the game and put all the players off their game. Even the pocket ref on one occasion overruled a decision he made. There has to be someone better then him getting around.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Great article very true too
Andrew Jackson
Roar Rookie
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
The site needs something to be able to thumbs up an article (not replies themselves) to provide the better articles with a longer lifespan on the site (and maybe even a hall of fame for articles). Well done and brought a smile to my face. Though realy you could insert any refs name there and it would be accurate. That all said, the Bunker is so awesome. Now lets do what the NFL do and hide it away.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
There could be another reason. Craddock in his telegraph piece, commented that referees have to state whether they consider it a try or no try before having the decision reviewed, To Craddock, they only go to the Bunker if they aren't sure. The other point is, they don't want the responsibility of the decision so it is referred on to the Bunker. If they make it a msitake, the ref just says "It's not my fault". Too many refs seem to be taking this option when even blind Freddie can see it is a try or no try.
MAX
Guest
Terrific skit, Aaron. Hope there are more to come. The thought of Tony Archer being CEO of the NRL is one whistle too many for me ( and for Des) but at least it may give Jarred some relief. There was a recent article indicating that referees were unhappy with Archer. Was Jarred one of them? We will never know.
Rossco
Guest
Maxwell using the bunker too often? He's still learning that one compared to Cummins. And what about Badger? He needs it as he got his decsions wrong on at least 4 occasions Saturday.
Chris Morrison
Guest
Hahahahaha nice!