The 2018 NRL season ended with the Sydney Roosters claiming their 14th premiership with a 21-6 victory over last year’s premiers, Melbourne Storm.
It was a very good match, but the Roosters had already won it in the first 20 minutes – the moment Latrell Mitchell scored his try, the Roosters put their foot on the pedal and never relented, even when Josh Addo-Carr scored against the run of play with the interception.
From what I understand, Cameron Munster will not be suspended, but just fined for kicking Joseph Manu at the back of the head. Really?
I don’t understand get it. First Billy Slater gets off the shoulder charge, and now this. I get they have their own points system, but how can we trust them when they bend the rules?
I guarantee that if I kicked someone at the back of the head, I’d be in jail because it’s standard assault, and any physical attack of the back of the head is a king-hit strike.
Last time I checked that’s illegal – any king-hit assault means I’ll be doing time behind bars.
So why isn’t Cameron Munster getting a suspension as he should? Is it because he’s a ‘star player’? Cameron Smith earlier this year was suspended and he didn’t try to fight it because he knew he was in the wrong.
I love the game of rugby league and watch it religiously, but how can fans keep putting up with the endless inconsistencies? We need to do a few things to clean up this mess.
(Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
1. We need a new referees boss
Two men have put their hands up for the role: Bill Harrigan and Phil Gould. Harrigan already had a run at the role but was told what to do, and he said if he is given the green light to do things his way, he’ll jump to the offer. This man is arguably the greatest ref of all time. He always called it down the middle and took nothing from anyone, so he’s my pick.
Phil Gould also put his hand up and, and given he’s a man who has been involved in the game – whether as a player, coach or commentator – I wouldn’t say no to him. Out of those two, I’m picking Harrigan, but I wouldn’t have a problem if it’s Gus.
2. Rewrite the rulebook
See that open window? In my hand I have the current rulebook, and I just chucked it right out that window. We need to get back to basics because all these added rules make refereeing a very complex job. The basic rules are very straightforward and simple. All I’m saying is to change the rulebook, not the rules altogether – this isn’t WWE.
3. Pinch the referees who show favouritism
I’ve seen this over many years, but some refs appear to be more lenient towards some teams. To quote Geoff Toovey, “There’s gotta be an investigation into this!”.
I’ve said quite a lot here, so now it’s your turn. Whatever you say, so be it – whether you agree with me or not, tell me I’m all sixes and sevens. What do you think about the various points I’ve made, Roarers, and more importantly, what would you like to add or subtract from it?
Shane Dowd
Roar Rookie
You got it Bernie! ????
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
BTW I loathe the Roosters who seem to get all the stars and not lose any. SBW etc But TV requires a close game...
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
If its a safety aren't they risking a law suit if there is ever a tragic accident...
db
Guest
It is in the explanatory notes of the rule book, "The catcher must have returned to the ground before being tackled. (See Section 15.).Applies only when a player on the non-kicking team catches the ball on the full." You are correct that this differs from the international rules.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Wasn't it a knee - you wouldn't want to be sent off for that - though it was his second yellow.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
DB My apologies - on checking the tackle in the air rule it seems my version is the international rule but your version is the NRL rule. Its not clear in the rules of the game on the web but maybe its in the interpretation but it begs the question if its dangerous in internationals why is not an NRL rule as well. I took my view from a Vossy discussion in a game some months which is always dangerous though I admire his commentary style even though he can be a bit RL myopic at times.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Do you know the rules - tackling in the air only allowed in goal - its a safety isue
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
So when Roy Masters says it happens you dont believe him. Its not just the peanlties What about non penalties? Can you lift your analysis beyond the basic lowbrow. Did you not find it odd when penalties were hard to come by that ref pulls out minor ones for the trailing team eg 2 offside scrum penalties in 15 minutes. It didnt happen in first half when Storm were struggling. The overwhelming decisons in 2nd half went to Storm for minor offences that are normally play on 2nd minute Penalty to Roosters – lying in ruck (cheap penalty) but maybe setting the tone for an open game 7 th minute Roosters try - how many penalties lead to tries 11th minute – Storm penalty – Friend lifting tackle (not a cheapie) 14th minute - Roosters try 12-0 21 st minute - Storm penalty – cheap offside 25 th minute - Storm penalty (lifting tackle – not a cheapie) 27the minute - Easts penalty high tackle – not a cheapie 28 th minute - Storm penalty – flop cheapie 29the min – Easts penalty - Professional foul munster – Klein 35th minute - Easts penalty – Holding down – potential cheapie but Storm struggling on own line 36th minute Easts try 18-0 Penalties 4-4
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I will explain it cause it’s pretty simple. The Roosters are well in front . They don’t mind giving away a few cheap ones if it allows them to slow down any momentum . All teams would rather give a penalty away than have a try scored against them. The Roosters back their defense and don’t mind defending back to back sets . It’s what the conspiracy theorists don’t get . A team well in front will gladly give a few penalties away rather than have a team score against them.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s good to know - consistency is the key...
db
Guest
2 N is required before a suspension is issued. It's roughly twice the force required to split a watermelon in half. So, a suspension will not result unless a player's head is disconnected from their body.
db
Guest
The play where Tupou was tackled in the air wasn't a penalty because Tupou was the attacking player. It's only a penalty when a defender is tackled whilst in the air.
The Barry
Roar Guru
So how hard do you have to kick someone in the head before you get a suspension...?
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Nah can't be trusted. You're in for one great big freaking surprise if you put your trust in these suits. They'll catch you off guard and hit you for six every single time
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
What are you saying - the Munster sinbinning in the first half - that could be an old Sutton trick of making sure the Roosters don't score (it was Klein) by slowing the game down themselves by sinbinning. The penalty count in the first half was 4 all. How do you explain the number of cheap penalties to the Storm in the second half.
Peter
Guest
The fact that your original article referred only to the Storm tells us all we need to know about your biases. Now go back and work through the same game highlighting absolutely everything where a prejudiced Storm supporter can remotely claim referee bias in favour of Easts. Oh you say you couldn't find any? It must be true - Boyd Cordner p$$s nothing but the best ginger ale.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
This is how the second half in the GF with Easts leading 18-0 41 min Storm penalty for alleged crusher tackle because Browich came up holding his neck - the replay didnt support this and Browwich got up played on unperturbed straight away after the penalty. 50 th minute Easts kick - Storm maybe touched it and knocked on but change of possession to Storm but a 50-50 decision for the storm - fox commentator said Storm touched it 53 minute Easts knock on but it went back but every dropped ball in NRL somehow is a knock on 54 minute Easts offside at scrum cheap penalty 54th minute an obvious penalty to easts for Nelson Salamona obstruction - video ref 57th minute Slater obstructions runs behind own player - play on 65th minute Easts tupou tackled in the air catching ball - nothing 66th minute croft offside from knock on no East penalty Slater abuses Sutton " use your f$%#ing brain" - no penalty 68th minute Keary field goal Sutton asks for review for trip not upheld 69th minute Storm penalty - cheap backs offside penalty in a scrum - is this a record 2 rare penalties for scrum offside in 15 minutes to the same side 72nd minute Storm penalty lost ball in the play the ball but penalty 73rd minute Storm penalty holding down in tackle (very cheap) 73rd minute Storm penalty in the play the ball (4 penalties in 4 minutes to 1 team) 77th minute Easts penalty Munster uses knee but light contact so shouldnt be suspended but obviously 2 yellows in RL is not a send off apparently. Storm behind on the scoreboard get the overwhelming majority of 50-5- decisions in 2nd half - coincidence?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Nobody will be going to jail for tapping someone in the back of the head with his foot. Life is full of grey areas. Some examples of added rules you don't agree with would good. The refereeing in the finals series was good I thought and may well have come around due to a change in attitude from the refs. A fair number of games this year have resulted in games where the ref seemed to hammer one side into submission with a raft of timely penalties and rulings against them. This supercharged the points scored by one team to the point where a comeback was almost impossible. I didn't see this happen in the finals but why that is I'm not sure. The great myth that coaches , players and fans blame the ref when they lose because they are trying to deflect the blame elsewhere, has been further exposed in the finals. Despite some close games there has been very little comment about the refs. Pretending there wasn't a problem was very fashionable but even the people running the show finally looked at the reality. I don't mind refs cracking down on a team if it is getting away with too much but at times the refs just seemed to be hooking right into one team and not the other. The penalty count proves nothing either way. One try denied from a fair pass and another to the opponents let go from a blatant forward pass doesn't show in any stats but it clearly have a huge influence on the final score. That or something similar was a regular feature in 18. The cliche about league being a simple game is just another little saying without any real meaning. The grey areas aren't simple at all.
taylor
Guest
referees showing favouritism? so you are questioning their integrity ?
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
I thought Munsters punishment fitted the crime. He was penalised, got 10 in the bin, and now he's copped a fine. Any attack on a players head needs to be stamped out of the game, but it looked pretty minor to me. Re the refs and bias, I think an investigation is a waste of time. They won't find any evidence of intentional bias, it's too hard to prove. Take for example the Sharks-Storm finals game where the Storm got back to back penalties for Sharkies not being back the 10. Harsh, maybe. Biased, who knows. Were they back the 10? No. So the ref was in his rights to penalise them. I think the best defence against refereeing bias is constant scrutiny which is happening anyway. Finally, if you are looking for an unbiased referees boss, Phil Gould is not your man. I've never seen him as anything but biased towards his own opinion. Fine when you are a commentator, not so good if you are presiding in a position which requires impartiality.