NRL referees are so fearful of sending a player to the sin-bin or even blowing penalties.
The historical and ongoing illogical perception that the refs have a major impact on the flow of the game and its outcomes are to blame for this development. This is wrong and quite frankly dumb.
Commentators and other high-profile individuals have unfairly pointed the finger at the referees for apparently influencing and spoiling the game.
Last year referees were allowed to penalise infringements without regard for the flow of the game. Many commentators were frustrated with the new approach.
Phil Gould took to Twitter in an obvious satirical rant, “Really enjoyed Friday Night Refereeing tonight. Every now and then the football threatened to get in the way, but to their credit, the refs were having none of that. They kept the whistle blowing. Referee coaches should feel proud of their team. Well done to all concerned”.
– Phil Gould (atPhilGould15) June 8, 2018
As a result, this year the NRL has directed referees to let the game flow. Ironically now they are looking at ways to curb the increased penalty count within the red-zone as a result of players deliberately giving away penalties that slow the game.
What is the common denominator between last and the current season?
The players! It was their fault last year when the games didn’t flow and that is the case this year for increased penalties in the red zone.
The players are the ones committing the infractions to the detriment of the opposition and the game. The referees applying the rules and duly penalising are not responsible for the penalties and their consequences.
That’s like blaming the line judges in tennis for the lack of rallies because they keep calling the ball out when it’s out.
The usual rugby league logic needs to change. If there is a high penalty count, then look at the players, not the refs. If a player gets sin-binned, don’t blame the ref for ruining the spectacle but the player who committed the offense.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Furthermore, the stupid attribution of criticism towards referees that’s led to the hesitancy to use the sin-bin will paradoxically influence the results of games. It has already, how many times this year have fans been outraged by the victorious team cynically and repeatedly slowing the game as the opposition looked threatening.
The latest measure proposed by Todd Greenberg is to give a player a time-out for the following set of six who gives away a penalty in the red zone. Will it occur from the first penalty or after a certain number of penalties and will it ensue every time thereafter? Just use the bin after a few penalties and see how quickly player behaviour changes.
A case that is worthy of note, was the weekends Jared Warea-Hargreaves’ hit on Kalyn Ponga. A textbook example of where a player should be sent to the sin-bin as it was late and deliberate.
The hit occurred in the 58th minute of the match, with the result a foregone conclusion with the score, 30-6 in favour of Newcastle. Ponga took no further part in the match due to an obvious concussion.
Bizarrely a penalty wasn’t even given. I can only assume the refs thought Hargreaves was committed. It was the wrong call.
But let’s for a moment assume the same incident occurs in the 28th minute and was correctly penalised. The scores are tied and Ponga takes no further part in the game and Hargreaves receives no further sanction. The Knights lose to the Roosters without their most potent attacking weapon.
Kalyn Ponga of the Knights watches on (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
Suddenly the whole narrative of the game as influenced by the incident. All of a sudden, the discussion is about whether Hargreaves should have at least received ten in the bin or a send-off based on its deliberate nature and the injury incurred. The consequences of the late tackle obviously having an effect on the outcome of the match.
This is hardly an unreasonable scenario. In fact, why wouldn’t a player commit foul play in say a grand final knowing that could sway the game in their favour (Terry Lamb 88’ GF anybody)?
The game is being unduly influenced by smart coaching and players deliberately crossing the line knowing that in many cases it’s actually beneficial to give away a penalty and highly unlikely they will get binned. Referees need the mandate to ensure to the best of their authority the fair result of matches, without the fear of reprisal.
Bring back the biff – no no I mean the bin!
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
I notice AFL umpires cop a lot of stick as many analyse the mistakes, as game changers or key moments. In a game that depends on the eyes of the umpire in real time, mistakes will occur. As you said apply the same standard as they do to players, if the umpire performs badly, too many howlers etc send them to the VFL, WAFL etc for a few weeks.
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
I particularly enjoyed it last year when the referee was justifiably giving penalties repeatedly on the defences try line for slowing the play. It kind of built things up to a sort of crescendo. The only thing is after 4-5 penalties for same thing in the following sets maybe send a player to the bin. It could actually add to the theatre of it all.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
My whinge for a number of years is that referees try to manage the game rather than referee it. It is up to the coach and players for tactics and putting them to use. It is the referees job to referee according to the laws of the game. Last year when referees started doing this, they were blamed where it was the coaches and players. Some teams did change and play according to the rules while others were trying to play chicken with the referee. Believe it or not, their is a law in the game for send offs and also for voluntary tackles (check it out, it is still in the laws).
Peter
Guest
Agree with the comments made. Sick of hearing people wanting to blame umpires for their team losing a game when that very same team makes many mistakes that cost them scoring or handing the opposition scoring opportunities. But no-one remembers those errors. They want to take the easy option & blame someone outside of their own club. Any danger the players are not coached to properly analyse each situation & pass to the advantage of your own team. Too many times in AFL players simply bomb the ball up & hope for the best. Do you think players try to make mistakes? Answer is no. The same applies to umpires. However some players are prepared to test the umpire. Sometimes they win, sometimes they lose. When they lose they complain. All commentators should not make negative comments when 90% of them do not know the rules.
Sue Barnes
Guest
I agree, when I went to many games years ago, the linesman watch for offside, forward passes and foul play. They are like deaf mutes now. Getting money for nothing. Bring back their involvement so the field refs has plenty of backup. Yes Terry Lamb should have been sent off in the 1988 grand final for the hit on the black pearl.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The ref did make a mistake by not sending JWH to the bin at least along with a penalty. In a close GF where the subsequent penalty goal and 10 in the bin could be the difference in the result I will use logic to declare that the ref probably did play a major role in the result. To deny that ref mistakes influence the result in some games is illogical and dumb.