It may have been another scintillating set of semi-finals in the NRL, but it seems all people are talking about is refereeing.
Controversial sin bins involving Manly’s Jake Trobjevic and Melbourne’s Cameron Smith had the football media up in arms.
(The idea of people complaining about Smith getting sent to the bin is news in itself, but anyway)
Did the refs have undue influence over the semi-finals on the weekend? Or are the NRL media just too keen to get stuck into the whistleblowers?
We put Roar NRL expert Tim Gore on the line on our Game of Codes podcast to analyse the controversial decisions on the weekend and plead the NRL media to give the refs a break,
Listen to the debate:
Graham Annesley came to an extraordinary defence of the referees in his media briefing yesterday, saying, “just because people have different views [it] doesn’t necessarily mean that the people who take the negative position are always right.”
“It’s difficult for the referees to escape controversy … we tend to always jump to view that they’re wrong as soon as there’s a controversial incident. The aggrieved party in any aspect of life … tends to make the most noise. If you disagree with a decision, you’re going to make more noise than somebody who agrees with it.”
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Matt
Guest
Now, that's dangerously close to common sense there... But seriously, I'm a storm fan and I agree Smith should have been binned. I just think it shouldn't have gotten to that point because Mahoney should have been penalised. They've allowed it all year though so at least it's consistent.
Warren
Guest
What gets me most about this whole situation is that the controversy around these issues are split. Experienced players and commentators seem to be 50/50 on both decisions (Jake's & Cameron's) on the weekend, yet somehow we have a crisis with the referees. I get it people will say it is more than just these decisions, but if they are 50/50 calls we are getting upset about can we please let it go and move onto the great games we have been seeing.
Wayne
Roar Guru
The Refs are enforcing the rules/guidelines that they have been given. IF there is any criticism to be had, its to the people above the panel providing these rules/guidelines. I would love to umpire a game with multiple slow motion replays from multiple camera angles in an air conditioned/catered box. But instead, I get one chance, from whatever position I am in to do my best.
Ted
Roar Rookie
I'm also talking about what a waste of time listening to the CH 9 game is. I CAN'T HEAR the commentary! I'd like to hear Rabs and Sterlo (and their mindful, intelligent commentary) but the Ch 9 soundman wants me to hear only the mindless shouting, cheering rhubarb and white noise from the fans in the stands.