The NRL has conceded that a touch judge’s crucial decision late in the Canberra Raiders’ dramatic win over the Melbourne Storm was wrong, yet defended the official after a series of online attacks.
After the Raiders snatched the lead following captain Jarrod Croker’s 78th minute conversion, the Storm had a last glimmer of hope dashed, with Suliasi Vunivalu ruled to have gone into touch.
Yet replays showed Vunivalu had remained in the field of play, sparking a strong backlash from commentators and fans.
While the NRL’s Head of Football Graham Annesley says the official will “pay the price” for the call, he moved to show support for the “devastated” touch judge.
Annesley told reporters that online attacks of referees are “totally unacceptable” and not only have an impact on the person targetted, but also affect the sport’s chances of convincing more people to become referees.
“When people get attacked, what part of that would encourage anyone to take it up?” Annesley said.
The Toid
Roar Rookie
Agreed, the problem only exists because we could all see it was a mistake, and for whatever reason the Bunker didn’t or couldn’t intervene. That’s all that needed to happen and this conversation wouldn’t even be happening. I don’t know when the Bunker can or can’t intervene, but it wasn’t as if they didn’t have plenty of time. Old mate gets crucified on Social Media, and then gets dropped for making a mistake that could’ve been overruled, it’s dumb. How does dropping a Ref or Touchie fix anything? Does anyone think they don’t try to make the right call? Sometimes they just get it wrong, and that’s when the Bunker should be able to intervene. I know what people are going to say, but in reality it’s not that often something as obvious as this happens. But I actually don’t care how often, I just want the right decision to be made so we don’t have to have these arguments, based primarily on which team you support or hate. Just use the technology we already have, and get it right. It’s not hard.
Rob
Guest
Obviously he thought he saw the hand go out which is why he raised his flag. To think that he took a guess is just silly. It's not like Vunivalu was in by half a metre. There was a few centimetres in it and at full speed it's very easy to see why he made the mistake.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Spot on.
Wayne Turner
Guest
What a distracting BS comment. I wouldn't become an official,not because of on line criticism,or any criticism,but because of fools like this,and the other idiots at the top,with poor excuse for rules. The touch judge failed at an epic level,because he was out of position to make the correct call,so guessed really badly.I wouldn't be a touch judge currently,because at the highest level stupid rules,even in play stoppage,you can't say "I'm NOT sure",and "ask the ref to check with the bunker and quickly make a call".What is the point if the technology if NOT allowed to be used,quickly,and during a stoppage to get the correct call. Political buck passing game players like this (Ironically a former politician,and it shows.),are a blight on the game.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or legitimate; I’m sorry about that, Asperger’s makes it hard to tell sometimes. If you were being sarcastic and facetious; nice :stoked: If you were being legitimate, a penalty count being lopsided is not a reflection on the referees; it’s a reflection on the penalised team not playing within the rules. Considering how much Melbourne get away with, I don’t think they have the right to get upset when they get more penalised than the other team. Besides, a difference of only 3 penalties isn’t much of a gap.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Really? Because I've never seen a blatant strip, called for a strip correctly then over turned by another ref who silences the first. Or a stoppage for a sore knee... Or for being tackled too hard.... Or seen a ref have a conversation with a player for 30 seconds before they take a conversion.... Klien did everything he could to keep the Raiders on the game, was an absolute joke. But of course it's Melbourne so who cares hey?
Brendon
Roar Rookie
100% agree. Everyone on this site is loving it. They are praising the guy! I’ve never seen so many people say TS to you, it’s the way it goes. If it had been the other way they would have been screaming for the guy to be drawn and quartered
The Swan Street Stalker
Guest
Damn. Looks like I’m not going to be able to link to an article by a certain someone about one Matt Cecchin and why he should have been dropped because of the blunders he made in the previous week. Ah the hypocrisy. What a tragedy.
The Swan Street Stalker
Guest
Ha! Good to see a member of the jugend pop up!
Turbonegro
Roar Rookie
No, but I joined just to a) like your post, and b),send him a message..????????
woppadingo
Guest
Maybe, but the Raiders were penalised 12 times and the Storm 9.
The Swan Street Stalker
Guest
Oh that’s a magnificent bit of internet you did there Mitcher! Amazing. Really contributed.
Mitcher
Guest
Get a grip. I’m at least as concerned for your welfare as the touchie. Genuinely.
The Swan Street Stalker
Guest
What a pity... It looks like my replies just won’t appear.
Sam Keilton
Roar Rookie
This is just distracting it from the actual problem
The Swan Street Stalker
Guest
I’m not sure if my previous comments is going to appear but let me leave this quote... “The game nearly lost Matt Cecchin, regarding by many as being the best referee in the game at the moment, because of the abuse and vitriol he and his family were facing. ” Author Known
The Swan Street Stalker
Guest
Ok Ben. Let’s go then. Come up with a constructive argument arguing against my points. I’ll wait...
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
I’ve seen reports claiming that Ashley Klein is to be dropped this week as referee after the Melbourne/Canberra game. That would be absolutely ludicrous. The Storm end up on the receiving end of more bad calls than their opposition in the first time in god knows how long; and the reaction is to drop the referee from the rest of the year? How ridiculous. All that does is reinforce the erroneous notion in people’s heads that the Storm are a protected species and get more favourable calls than any other team.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Wake up to yourself.
Sam
Guest
Well how can you get that wrong in a final????? And instead of guessing and determining the outcome of the game why cant the touchy say to the ref "look I'm not sure go upstairs " Wait that would mean using common sense... with all that technology and it can't be used to get something right in a final... its laughable. NRL... amateur hour. How convenient....Quickly deflect how amateur the NRL is into online bullying issue.