The Roar
The Roar

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Referees need to know their place

Cam Smith talks to Gerard Sutton. (Channel Nine).
Expert
27th March, 2018
20

The recent trend of referees enforcing laws points to a bigger issue in the game – them.

Who do they think they are, with their ‘rules’? What do they think they’re here for? To preside over a match as a judge with functions dictated by the laws of the game? They are kidding themselves.

The officials and their audacious penalising of transgressions in 2018 is not only a stain on the game, it is an impingement on a footballer’s divine right to do whatever the hell they want on the field.

For those unaware, there’s a reason Australia can’t afford legumes anymore – it’s the record number of peas being blown out of whistles by crusading referees imposing the very rules that necessitate their role.

While nobody knows what the match quota is for penalties, or if there even is a quota, we are all in emphatic agreement referees have been exceeding the number. And if you want to exceed thresholds, go work for Manly.

These self-righteous whistleblowers claim it’s all in the name of ‘cleaning up the game’, but ultimately they just look stupid to important people like bitter analysts and players lazing in the ruck.

Furthermore, it is an ill-considered strategy bound for failure, as it assumes a footballer possesses the mental aptitude to learn from his mistakes.

Overall, referees refereeing proves their overblown egos have again caused them to lose sight of their chief role in the game – to act as a punching bag for losing coaches.

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Have they not learnt from their shameful past?

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The tactic of controlling a match is the first step on a disastrous pathway of mission creep, which will surely result in another catastrophe like the compliant utopia overseen by Bill Harrigan.

To be fair, the quicker they officially relinquish control to the coaches and Queensland Immortals, the better. Because they’ll never conquer culture.

The concept of a stern official flies in the face of rugby league’s hyper-masculine principles, where taking orders from a subordinate is taboo and whistles are considered fruity.

Referees should be seen and not heard. They shouldn’t have an edgy image like Gavin Badger, they shouldn’t call footballers by anything other than ‘master’, and they definitely shouldn’t be keeping them back the ten. So they’re pretty much stuffed.

Sure, they may have the support of Todd Greenberg, but he won’t be around much longer now that he’s endorsed referees.

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Unfortunately for the CEO, he has breached the first golden rule of rugby league – never support a ref. Refs are refs because they’ve never been supported, and those who do so could only be their mother, or a referee who is keying another referee’s car.

Why do you think the referees boss never lasts more than a year in the role?

In summary, expecting players to play by the rules is killing the game, and Greenberg needs an immediate solution that doesn’t involve keeping the players onside.

Referees in crisis, etc.

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