Over my many years of watching rugby league, I have always thought that there is no other sport on the planet where referees are treated with the derision and lack of respect that we see on display each week.
That suspicion has been confirmed over the last week with the reaction from the media and some fans in response to the referees threatening industrial action in response to the quick-fire decision by Peter V’landys and the ARLC to move from two on-field referees to just one.
Why was this decision made so quickly? Particularly when players and coaches were vocal and asked the ARLC to wait until the end of the year.
It depends who you ask.
Justifications have included that it is a cost-saving measure. Reports of the savings have differed from $2 million to $500,000, but that doesn’t add up to me, because no one can give an actual number. The argument also falls away because my understanding is that the referees have offered to take a 20 per cent pay cut in order to keep the current system in place. It’s incredible how the referees are still being painted as the bad guys, despite a dramatic change to their working conditions overnight without consultation.
Another suggestion is that it leads to more free-flowing rugby league… whatever that means. This reason comes from a special kind of dinosaur that pines for rugby league of old.
No doubt similar people that think that one less referee would result in more free-flowing rugby league are people that demand that all three grades of rugby league be played on one day at the same ground… but then don’t bother showing up.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
It’s also a pretty easy myth to debunk – take a look at the average play the ball speed for players like Josh Papalii or compare the play of the ball speeds in the 2019 grand final to the Australia versus Tonga match held later in the year. The impact of moving from two referees to one is quite obvious.
But my favourite one of all is that the fans wanted it. How do we know that? We know that from the results of a Daily Telegraph poll from last year. I look forward to the rest of the findings of that poll being put into place, particularly findings from the official NRL poll last year, which said that most fans wanted the Women’s State of Origin to move from a standalone match to a three-game series.
On Channel Seven’s nightly news earlier this week, a Brisbane Broncos player spoke about how referees are replaceable, just like players are. To an extent, I understand his point. No one is irreplaceable.
However, there is a big difference between those players pushing to take the spot of a first-grade rugby league player and those referees pushing to make first grade.
Think about it – one group is treated with admiration and respect. The second is harassed, questioned and hung out to dry at every opportunity, and that isn’t just at NRL level.
It is laughable that some from the media and even greats of the game have spoken about how the referees have too much power. I don’t see it from where I am standing. Instead I have watched as their authority has been questioned time and time again.
(AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)
Additionally, this replaceable point simply assumes that there is a horde of referees waiting to referee first-grade matches, when my understanding is that it is a significant step up, particularly when it comes to fitness.
This saga has also demonstrated how few fans understand the system in place. If the move to one referee happens, then it will mean full-time referees are demoted to the touch line. This will mean the death of the specialist touch judge. Their role and experience is being painted as expendable.
It fails to recognise that being a specialist touch judge requires special skill and the quality of the work on the touch line may not be the same if we simply replace touchies with on-field referees.
Last week I wrote about the danger threatening rugby league through the media and in particular from Channel Nine and Fox League.
It didn’t take too long for this danger and agenda to rear its ugly head again. Earlier this week an article was published by James Hooper – at least he had the courage to put his name to the article – attempting to discredit the chairman of the Rugby League Match Officials Association, Silvio del Vecchio, for having a day job managing a beauty salon.
Gutter journalism is a kind summation of that article and an agenda is blatantly obvious.
Additionally, yesterday, James Willis – who is a senior producer at 2GB – tweeted that “the referees have zero supporters in this fight with the NRL”.
I’m putting my hand up as a supporter of the referees. Who else is with me?
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
As of 1 July 2019, Australia's prime minister is paid a total salary of $549,250. This is made up of the 'base salary' received by all Members of Parliament ($211,250) plus a 160 percent 'additional salary' for the role of Prime Minister.
Matt Pritchard
Roar Rookie
Very impressive article and insights into referees and the mainstream media - good on you for calling them out.
Op
Guest
The feedback from the broadcasters was a big factor in this decision. I wouldn’t be surprised that as part of the boardcasd negotiations, a drastic decision like this had to be made to show committment to the broadcast partners, like their cost cutting committments (Todd Greenburg) that they will improve all aspects of the game. The reality is, the broadcasters and a lot of fans have not enjoyed the affect of wrestling on the game. If the current set up of two referees and penalty’s has not improved the flow of the contest then somrething has to change to give better value to fans and broadcasters. All agree, could have done it better.
Ad-O
Guest
Bang on. Criticism of refs is the domain of poor coaches and poor pundits. And its boring. Just want to say, I think this is the best article I've read from Mary, on the Roar. It's nice to be able to agree with someone you dont usually agree with.
Mama
Guest
V'landys is a bully - just overlooks an Enterprise bargaining Agreement and rides roughshod over consultation. I give him a year
Muzz
Guest
Nice Netball thread.
Greg Hamblin
Guest
Read many of the comments on here regarding salaries, worth etc. I believe there is only one real issue - communication. I certainly don't know who, what or when, the 1 referee became a fire and none of the news blogs/posts determine it. It sniffs of corporate business, where redundancy is coined as a measure for bottom line profit and the little guy gets a tap on the shoulder Friday afternoon with a goodbye letter. The season started with 2 referees, then it should finish with two. Have your consultation for change after it.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I just shake my head about Ch 9. I know I'm biased but what's not to like about watching the Raiders play these days? I think most league supporters would rather watch the Raiders going around than some of the matches Ch 9 plan to televise. And how can they go from a planned 10 FTA matches at the start of the season to 3? The mind boggles. The same old Broncos every Thursday of Friday night followed by the Rabbitohs and Eels is incredibly dull and unimaginative programming. But they'll say the Broncos rate and its hard to argue with that. Any sole team from a city of 2.3 million would rate. Doesn't the media and NRL have a role in growing the game? I think they've forgotten this and are just stuck in survival mode. I've thought about boycotting Ch 9 but I'll probably end up watching endless Broncos night games again given there will be nothing else to watch. I stopped watching Sunday games televised by Ch 9 years ago. I was going to say the same thing about Tim - he must be on leave or too busy - I guess he could just pull out one of his old articles and put a new date on it - nothing has changed. He must be frothing at the mouth after yesterday's draw and FTA allocation.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree. I don’t understand why they’ve been grouped at Campbelltown. Tough break with the draw anyway I read that the Raiders will play five “home” games at Campbelltown and even if they return to the ACT are only scheduled for four games at GIO TV draw wasn’t kind either. The Raiders are one of the best teams to watch so disappointing there’s not more FTA coverage. Anticipating a Tim Gore article soon...
eels47
Roar Rookie
The refs are part of the product though, and are a specialised profession. I saw a similar comment to what you have mentioned too, and whilst I get the sentiment, I didn't think it was warranted or relevant. Scientists are paid to do their job, sports people and entertainers paid to do theirs.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Fair enough - not gonna argue with that Baz. Just read that Ricky isn't confident of the Raiders playing any home games in Canberra this season - if that's the case you can put a hundred asterisks on whoever wins the comp this year. Can you imagine how wearing it is going to be to be on the road every week!! For the life of me I can't see the difference between playing in Canberra - where we haven't had a case for over 15 days - and Campbelltown. In fact it is probably safer here.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It wasn't that easy to satisfy the NSWRL selection criteria. I was in a group of 25 men applying to be referees in 1978 and we were put into a classroom and were given a talk from a referee who then selected 5 to continue. He then said the rest of you can go. He didn't give a reason making it clear there was no reason for us to reapply. It was very strange.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I seem to recall you disagreeing with my ramblings on the clear logic of the NRL planning to restart the comp Moose. Frankly I can't understand why anyone was debating that issue , it was obviously the wise course of action.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The point I'm making is you can go around in never ending circles comparing who is getting too much compared to someone else and expecting any sort of fairness or complete logic. The referees might look at Mick Jagger and say how unfair that he gets a million dollars for a concert but so what? Too many people whingeing about these things in my opinion.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s a fair point mate I’d possibly debate the referee’s role in generating the revenue but that seems churlish I’m sure the tea lady or the receptionist at NRL headquarters doesn’t get massive overs because the organisation generates revenue It’s pointless to a large degree but things like footy players earning mega bucks but then acting selfishly and entitled is really starting to chafe after what’s happened recently...and that applies to entertainers as well There was the footage of Sam Smith crying because he was isolated in his Hollywood hills mansion with grounds and swimming pool. I’m sure it’s tough, but maybe show a bit of humility and remember who your fans are and what they might be going through There was the comment about Messi and Ronaldo that the source is now being disputed, where a Spanish biological researcher said 'You give the footballer €1 million euros a month & a biological researcher €1,800 per month, and you are now looking for a Coronavirus treatment. Go to Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi & they will get you a cure”
Nick
Roar Guru
Yeah, I'll be honest. I didn't read all of it, and that's my bad. I don't agree with much of it, but deep down (perhaps even unintentionally) there is a point to the rambling...but not the classist stuff.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Agreed TB. My wife and I work bloody hard to have the things that you have mentioned, house (mortgage), car, able to take the kids on holidays. I don't consider it "privilege", we have earned it. Back to the original comment though, whilst I agree that our nurses and first responders are definitely undervalued, that doesn't mean referees are overvalued. It is a completely different scenario. Unfortunately, the undervalued mentioned are paid by the Government, and the only way they will see more money is if we are taxed more. It would be interesting to see how many of us would be happy in that scenario. Referees, like players, are paid according to not only supply and demand as SM mentioned, but based on the revenue that the game receives. Sure, on the surface it doesn't seem fair, but the comparison between the two is also not fair.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agree about the averages, but even them after 8-10 years of education and training and five years of general practice, a doctor can earn <2\3 of a first grade referee? Good luck to the whistleblowers. They’ve got every right to earn as much as they can. But there’s no way anyone will convince me that 300k is appropriate remuneration for what they do, particularly with what we’ve been through
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t Vague references to “some woman” on Facebook, as if that somehow proves a point Its incredibly naive. The distribution of wealth of wealth in society isn’t skewed towards the “comfortable middle class” it’s skewed towards the super wealthy. The 26 richest people on earth have the same net worth as the poorest half of the world’s population. Tell me again how someone with a mortgage and a Bali holiday needs to look at themselves for people living under sheets of tin? To suggest someone who gets paid a reasonable wage, pays tax, has a nice house (mortgage) and car and can afford to go on holiday is more responsible for the disenfranchised in society, while we have mega rich organisations and individuals hoarding billions of dollars and avoid making meaningful contributions wherever possible is ridiculous Yes, it’s more important than the difference between referees and wages issues, but this is a sporting forum specifically discussing referees To come out say “something else is more important” is immature. It’s like if we were discussing a suspension for punching on the field and someone said “well, war in the Middle East is more important..” derrrrrrrr He also points it out like its everyone else’s fault but not his. I’m sure he’s given up his annual holiday and is riding a push bike to work so he could start up a soup kitchen for the homeless
The Barry
Roar Guru
My original point was comparing referees and their salaries to what more undervalued but more vital members of the community do and earn In that context there’s no way we can suggest what they do is important