Opinion
Last week I suggested it would be possible to analyse, assess and rate refereeing howlers in rugby league. The goal, of course, is to identify the biggest howlers of the year to be awarded at this year’s annual Dufty M Howlers of the Year.
Before we go delving into specific matches, it might be worthwhile to contemplate the greatest refereeing howler ever.
I’m sure we can all mention specific games.
My heavenly howler (your words, not mine) is always Round 24, 2003 when Shayne (not Jarryd) Hayne reffed the game between the Eels and Sharks.
For context, neither team made the eight and Parra (20 points) finished just ahead of the Sharks (18 points) on the competition ladder. The Eels came into the game -66 for and against, and finished in the plus. And they overtook the Dragons to jump two ladder positions! How about that?
And in a special touch for Eels fans: a gazelle-like Jamie Lyon striding out in the blue and gold for five tries. A club record. Well done Jamie.
Not only did the Eels beat the Sharks, but the Lyon did too. Poor Matt Petersen scored four earlier that year (one of eight times this had happened) and his equaling of the record didn’t last long.
On this particular night in drizzling rain, the Sharks actually crossed first! Paul Gallen, the try-scoring freak, scored out wide to give them a 4-0 lead after 17 minutes. Shayne (not Jarryd) then penalised the Sharks repeatedly and the Eels scored on the end of it in the 24rd minute. Three more tries before halftime and the game was basically gone.
Paul Gallen. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Interestingly, Dave Peachey got into a stoush with Darren Treacy. Who would’ve won that bout over 12 rounds?
Now the howling approacheth.
After 50 minutes, the Eels led 24-4 on the scoreboard, 9-4 in the penalty count, and were well in control.
Shayne (not Jarryd) then penalised the Sharks for holding down the tackled player (the third straight penalty in a row for that indiscretion) and called skipper Peachey out for a chat.
As the chat was finishing, Dave and Shayne (not Jarryd) jogged back into position. Dave kept arguing and dropped an f-bomb, so Shayne (not Jarryd) gave him ten. But, after being binned, Peachey refused to reenter the field and continued up the tunnel, and Hayne upgraded the sin bin to a send-off.
The next play, Shayne (not Jarryd) penalised the Sharks for a strip when they had about six players in a tackle. Maybe seven. Could be 12 or 14. It looked like a rugby union maul. Looked like the ball just popped out, but on this night it didn’t matter. The hanging judge was in his sentencing phase.
Two tackles later, Danny Nutley grabbed the foot of a Parra player going to play the ball. Penalty to Parramatta. Seemed like big Danny then said something to Shayne (not Jarryd), so big Danny went to the bin (penalties 11-4, Sharks down to 11). Parra then ran in a few quick tries and it’s 32-4.
From the kick-off, Dale Newton hit an Eels ball runner around the neck with a high tackle. Shayne (not Jarryd) blew time off and sent off Dale (not Mitch) Newton. Sharks down to ten.
Yep, ten.
Parra then go bananas. You’ve heard the term ‘scoring at will’? No, I don’t know where it came from, either. But this is a perfect example, which included Nathan Cayless bounding 50 metres to score under the poles.
This crazy game then descended to the point that it’s so bizarre to watch, you feel like you’re somehow responsible for what’s unfolding. But you want to see how it ends. Will Cronulla get the ball? Will Shayne (not Jarryd) send any more Sharks off? Well, he might. You kind of want him to (because it’s the Sharks, after all) in some kind of sadistic perversion. Or maybe it was just me.
With three minutes to go, the touchie wanted in on the act. Who could blame him? The Sutherland carcass was so fleshy and juicy, and just so tantalising. Terry Touchie reported to Shayne (not Jarryd), “He’s not getting back ten, he’s getting back about two. And he just gave me a gobful for no reason.”
Shayne (not Jarryd) told the player (winger, Matthew Rieck) “Matthew, Matthew, it’s okay, okay, I’m letting a little bit go. Let’s go. Let’s get on with it.” Interesting way of putting it.
Lyon scored his fifth of the night. Nathan Hindmarsh missed the conversion from out wide and that does it.
If you know the penalty count that night, you win a Freddo Frog (if you don’t, have a guess. Answer is at the end).
Chris Anderson could have set a world record for referee abuse fines, but the NRL realised he would have been right, and they would have to pay him some kind of coach’s compensation.
So let’s apply the key questions.
1. Was the glaring blunder(s) caused by stupidity or hopelessness
According to the knower of all, Wikipedia, Shayne (not Jarryd) refereed City vs Country Origin, State of Origin series, All Stars matches, the 2008 World Cup and the 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014 NRL grand finals.
That would suggest he’s neither stupid nor hopeless.
But on this particular occasion, he sure appeared hopeless. Well at least hopelessly out of his depth/mind/league.
Rating: high
2. Was it so obvious that not even Graham Annesley will be able to talk his way out of it
Are you having a laugh? Two Sharks sent off. One in the bin. Telling a player he’s letting a bit go. Annesley would have called in sick the day of that press conference.
Rating: is there a rating higher than high? A Gommersall? A Hartley? High +++
3. Was there little pressure at the time
Sure, there was some niggle and Darren and Dave got into a scrap, but Shayne (not Jarryd) was in his third season of first grade so it wouldn’t have been unusual. Besides, it was 24-4. Pressure? Nah.
Rating: high
4. Was the ref legging up one team to even the penalty count?
This wasn’t so much a leg up as a giant inverted bungee cord for the Parra boys. And this one didn’t retract.
Rating: high
5. Did the glaring blunder(s) determine the outcome of the match?
There are rhetorical questions. Then there’s this.
Rating: high
6. Was the official sanctioned by the NRL due to the glaring blunder(s)?
Shayne (not Jarryd) was dumped, along with both touchies.
Some will argue there have been other games with howlers more howling than this. Think cement trucks, and needing investigations, seven-tackle sets, and Ricky Stuart.
But if this match doesn’t take the cake it takes the batter, icing, cherries, candles and all the shredded chocolate, and leaves the plate.
For his efforts: Shayne (not Jarryd) is our inaugural entrant into the Dufty M Hall of Fame: Worst Ref Match Howler. May his legacy live forever.
I know the critics out there will bemoan this and ask about the matches from this season. Well, those will commence next instalment. Maybe. If I get round to it.
And the penalty count from the match? 18-5 to the Eels. Now who wins the Freddo?
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