Top NRL referee Matt Cecchin says he will retire at the end of this season after a making a decision two weeks ago that left him “scared” to leave his hotel room.
Cecchin told the Sydney Morning Herald a drop in confidence as well as being snubbed from blockbuster matched prompted his decision.
Cecchin, 48, said he had been contemplating retirement for months, but came to his final decision after a call made against the Sharks in the round 22 match against the Knights.
With 70 minutes played at the score at 14-all, Cecchin penalised Sharks defenders for carrying Knights centre Bradman Best from the field into the in-goal after he called “held”.
Sharks coach Josh Hannay criticised the decision. Cecchin and his partner, Brent, were staying at the same hotel as the Sharks.
“I didn’t leave my hotel room because I was scared,” Cecchin told the Herald.
“Not because I felt threatened, but I wanted to prevent any incident that could make it a drama. Nobody gave me that feeling, but I didn’t want someone to make a comment in a lift or the foyer.
“I know it was a 50-50 call. The thing is three years ago I wouldn’t have lost a minute of sleep. But that night was shocking.
“I didn’t sleep that night or the night after. I felt more responsible than I should’ve been. When you’re younger, you look for the big decisions to show everyone you can do it. I’m running around now thinking I just want to get through it.”
Cecchin came back after retiring from the NRL three seasons ago after he received death threats following the World Cup semi-final between Tonga and England in New Zealand.
The Herald said this weekend’s fixture is likely to be Cecchin’s last unless a more preferred referee suffers an injury or makes a decision worthy of them being sacked.
“When you feel like you’re just making up the numbers, week after week, it gets tricky,” he said. “It’s hard to stay up when you don’t have the carrot of the big games like you once did.
“For the last year and a half, I’ve been trying to hold on to my reputation with the players and coaches. It wasn’t to be in the grand final or State of Origin, as it has been in the past. It’s important for me to be remembered by players and coaches as I am now.”
Walter Black
Guest
I am firmly of the opinion that most apparent mistakes by the ref are nothing of the sort. I believe that most of the "blow ups" by fans on boards like this one are ill founded and yet these sometimes outrageous criticisms by fans and commentators are left to go unchecked. I believe that if refs had 10 minutes in the studio and ran through some of their decisions in a civilised manner, we would find that the majority of these criticisms were 1. Fans lack of understanding of the rule book 2. The ref saw something that the fans/camera's did not 3. The ref was acting on a missive from the NRL (eg Head High Crackdown) 4. It was a 50:50 call 5. It was a genuine mistake A ref fronting up to explain some of this would in my opinion lead to a massive leap forward in fan comprehension of ref decision making and instead of a witch hunt we would get a genuine appreciation for just how difficult the reffing job is. In short, what it would change is perception and understanding.
JVGO
Guest
Nope. No one cares.
Nat
Roar Guru
At least you had a common enemy in the GF last year.
kk
Roar Pro
Agreed TG. Sorry for the late reply. Sad part is, he was ok calling the Warrior games in NZ.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Sorry, didn’t realise I couldn’t comment where & when I wanted on the Roar…thanks for bringing that to my attention. :silly: What integrity issues are you talking about? Touched a nerve have I?
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
I guess its only natural you'd lose sleep ,if you meet Talakai in the lift after the Knights lose.But Seriously, I've thought Matt Ceechin as one of the better refs over the last 10years. Sure that call on the Tryline was poor judgement but the Sharks frustrations was more to do with all the 50/50 calls (mainly from the Bunker ) that went against them during that game.Given its a Thankless task that all refs experience,if your not on top of your decision making your going to suffer more critisism.Not saying its right,its just part of the NRL landscape.Well done Matt ,Good luck in the future
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Have to agree after his match last week. Congratulated players after match last and even during match he said it's been a good match guys let's not spoil it . Well respected referee by player's and does a lot of work off field with homeless people . Him and Gavin Badger will be missed.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Drawing a long bow there Adam .Stick to Rugby commentary, I'm sure there's a lot of integrity issues that warrant your attention
Tom G
Roar Rookie
He has a lot of relatives maybe?
kk
Roar Pro
Voss is a turn-off How he won a poll on NRL.com is beyond me.
kk
Roar Pro
I was chuffed to help a family appreciate Rugby League. It's called neighbourly connecting, decibels vary in unison with the scoreboard and the preceding action .
Nat
Roar Guru
What do you want from the ref facing the press after the game? Admit they got it wrong or try convince you they were right? What does it change?
Nat
Roar Guru
Wow. They found the Panthers from the Central Coast? What did you do? :laughing: I just moved home myself, officially on game night origin 3. I met the neighbour the next day and first thing she said "so Qld won hey".
JVGO
Guest
We earned it and deserved it 100 times over every week every year and every dodgy check book premiership the Roosters and Manly won and especially the one Greg Hartley decided back in '78. I doubt Hollywood had himself too many sleepless nights.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
That is so sad. I think the media has to take some blame here. How many times do we need to see a replay highlighting ref errors or commentators continually saying the ref got it wrong. I couldn’t be a ref.
kk
Roar Pro
Nat, Rugby League on TV is akin to brain surgery in the comfort of your own home. Our neighbours thanked us for making them aware of the joys of the GGoA. Canterbury did not get a look in. They like the Panthers.
mushi
Roar Guru
One of the articles highlighted he started that, and I think he said Greenberg made it common practice for the referees
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
One thing I've noticed with Cecchin more than other refs - which is in no way a criticism of the other refs, I just haven't seen it as much - is that he shakes hands with most of the players after the game. Particularly the captains.
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I have never sat down to watch my team play and thought "oh no Checchin is ref". Always been fair, always been respectful with the players. When he first started out, i thought he used to ref angry, but over the years and with experience he has got better. I think if fans had to choose a referee to officiate their teams matches, most would go for Checch. Obviously got himself on the wrong side of the establishment a few years ago after the Storm v Sharks game, but i guess that happens when you show up the incompetence of the leadership. Great career Matt - Well done.