That’s right, you have read it correctly. Tony Archer has been sacked as the referees boss.
So now we ask ourselves the million dollar question, who should take his spot? I have three candidates for the role.
Phil Gould
Sure he may have never been a ref and this is a sixes and sevens answer from me but this man has been involved in the game for a long time.
From his debut for Penrith in 1976 all the way to now as a commentator in 2018, that’s 42 long years. Whether as a player, coach, general manager or commentator, he has seen the game evolve.
He has even put his hand up and said he’ll do it free of charge.
Bill Harrigan
Arguably the greatest referee ever and took no shit from anyone. If you piss him off, he’ll send you off.
He has had a run before but he wasn’t able to get far by being told what to do. Harrigan has put his hand up yet again for the role but said if he gets the role, he wants to do things his way.
Matt Cecchin
This one should spin some heads. He may have a rather profound history of controversial calls to the point his family were threatened but he was one of the better refs of the modern era.
Just like any other human, he made his mistakes but unlike many humans, he did admit his errors. From his knowledge and experience, yes he could be ideal despite long odds outside chance.
I know some will disagree with me and have there own opinions, you have every right to do so. However, one thing we can all agree on is there’s no chance shoulder charges and the biff will be allowed to return.
As much as many would love to see that, I am prepared to bet we have a better chance to see a vampire getting a sun tan and the zombie apocalypse.
Roarers, I have had my say so now you have yours. Do you agree or disagree with my candidates? Which of the three do you prefer? Who do you think would be ideal for the job? The floor is yours.
Paul
Roar Guru
What a stupid comment. Did you read the comment or not? "Truly referee the games" means apply the rules, Peter. "Let the game flow" means having control of the game and making sure each side knows exactly what will happen if they try and screw up. The really good referees could do that on a regular basis. When it happened, we saw some great Rugby League
Peter
Guest
"Truly referee games but allow them to flow." Do you mean only apply the laws that you think they should apply? Yes, your team scored a lovely backline try. Pity that two of the passes were forward. Oh well, in the interests of flow, we won't mention that. But ref, the opposition scored a try when one of the passes was at least 10cm forward! Apply the bloody law! That's what you're there for! Need we continue?
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Only 1 man can get the job done and give the fans what they want A free flowing game, few penalties, no taking dives, won't mind a bit of rough stuff in a man's game and maybe back to the good old days of sharing a drink with the boys after the game. Reg Reagan step up and take a bow and a swipe and a head butt. Bring back the biff.
Paul
Roar Guru
I guess it depends on what they want the position to do. If they want it to manage games as badly as they were this season with a heavy dose of blame & ego, Gould & Harrigan are the picks. If they want refs to go back to basics and truly referee games but allow them to flow, Cecchin might be the go. There aren't exactly lots of good candidates putting their hand in the air for the job.
Big Daddy
Guest
If you read their media release it's a restructure so Archer will have a role somewhere. What amazes me is that Anne sly seems to have a charmed life as far as jobs are concerned. Sure he is an ex referee but how many times are the NRL going to to keep recycling their favourite sons.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Cecchin should be on the field still. Hopefully he comes back now that Archer is gone. I think the position has been absorbed into Annessley's role. Which shouldn't give anyone any great hope. When you consider most of the issues revolve around the video ref use and he was the man who brought it in... we'll see I guess.
Nat
Roar Guru
Respectfully, I cannot agree with any of them, not that I have a better solution. Gould has too many vested interests and, like Harrigan, they wouldn't risk the security and unaccountable nature of being a media talking head. Cecchin, they should be doing all they can to keep him on the park.
kk
Roar Pro
Archer replaced by Bernard Sutton who answers to Graham Annesley who answers to Greenbeg.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Is anyone replacing him? I thought Sutton was the referees boss with Archer being the boss of the referees boss and now they've just made that position defunct.