That Clisby and Santalab won't be punished is insane

I completely disagree with the first Matt Mackay caution, Matt jumped for the ball in the air while the Victory player backed under him and Matt came down with his elbow (he did strike with his elbow), if you back under an player (cheating) while they are jumping and heading the ball and they come down with their arms it is your bad luck and Matt should have a free kick for him let alone a caution against him. The second caution was a fair cop even though both players were shirt tugging Matt should not have put himself in that position because he already had a caution. The simple thing about refereeing is adjudicate incidents you see, get in good position, work well with your assistants, know your law, don't let cheats prosper and most of all be fair. For a long time now some referees in the A League allow themselves to worked over by some teams so they can an advantage and Victory and Adelaide were the best at that last season. Adelaide would regularly break up attacking by fouling players in their opponents half to break up an attacking move where they less likely to get cautioned.

That was out of necessity (to replace Jamieson) and a fast talking agent

I agree. That was one game where I would have liked to see a referee interview or something after the game just to explain what his thinking was with those two decisions. I thought they were both red (I support Roar so no bias either way). Clisby because to me even on first showing, that seemed completely premeditated. The ball was of 0 concern to Clisby. He just wanted to clatter into Cirio, which constitutes either serious foul play. The second was text book red. Sliding in, studs up, late, no connection with the ball, foot collected Holland on his leg (as opposed to foot) - definitely serious foul play. It would have been useful to hear the referee's version of events within the context of the actual rules like I have used above. I imagine it would have gone something like: Clisby mistimed the tackle and it was reckless, but not serious foul play - yellow Have no idea what he thinks about the Santalab one though.

he was smart enough to convince popa to sign him ;)

Hamill....*sigh*

Disagree. He has refereed consistently in both games. In the Brisbane-Victory game he ensured that Jersey Tuggerah were given yellow cards as they should be. The first yellow on McKay was warranted as he ran from a short distance and his elbow hit the Victory player. This is yellow card offence. Therefore, McKay deserved his 2 yellow cards. In the Adelaide-Wanderers game, the refereeing was again consistent and fair to both.

He did better than Hamill. The only options for Australian left backs the Wanderers had when Scott Jamieson transferred late to Sweden were Dylan Murnane, Troy Danaskos and Riley Woodcock. Left backs are hard to come by.

The MRP will only intervene when the referee has not dealt with the foul. Clearly, he gave Clisby a yellow for a clumsy challenge. Cirio would be playing this week if he had come off as his injury was a hyper extension in the act of tackling Dimas who is rather solid. Evans clearly saw the tackle by Santalab and took what he deemed the deemed the appropriate action. The Laws of the Game always use the following clause "...in the opinion of referee..." So the MRP cannot take action. Based on the new crowding rules, Evans failed to award a yellow card to Adelaide for the multiple players surrounding him during the Santalab-Holland incident. Ben Wilson has taken the only action open to him which is drop him from being the referee for an A-league game. He is the 4th official in Friday nights game between Melb City and Perth

I remember the very last minutes of Kevin Muscats football career. I think he was red carded and got 8 weeks.

I don't wish to be personal here Matt..but your articles continue to display the sort of naivety that suggests you've only ever engaged with football via the TV. If you are sincere about adding to the debate, drop the sensationalism and give us something interesting to read. At the moment it just looks like you are using this forum to practice your journalism skills.

The run and pass to Nichols was some premeditated intelligence.

lobbying via a roar blog won't get you far in life, Matt

He doesn't strike me as intelligent enough to premeditated anything

the issue i have with clisby's tackle is that it felt pre-meditated, never had eyes for the ball. first touch cirio got was smashed by his directed opponent, unsportsmans like and not what we want to see

Evans has had two shockers in a row.

I thought Clisby did alright given the context - that he was playing on a yellow for the entire game.

Yes Buddy, didn't mean to imply that the context should be a factor - in an ideal world it wouldn't be.

... except it didn't cause the injury.

1. Only FIFA can change the rules. 2. With Santalab, you have a point, but for Clisby, you have some whos says red card, others who say yellow card (not clear cut), so happy with ref decision. This was the one that caused the injury.