Samuel In Dolgnwot: Series 2, Episode 11 Samuel’s Footy Tips

Does The NRL Need More Field Referees?

May 25th, 2006 at 12:35pm

I enjoyed the state of origin match last night, I muted the television and listened to the coverage on 2CC with Andrew Moore, Steve Roach, Daryl Brohman and Tony Megahey, which was quite excellent as usual. The match was brilliant, although it did have a few contentious referee decisions, although it is hard to think of a single NRL match that doesn’t have a contentious decision these days.

The one thing that I’ve been thinking about for a while which I think needs improvement in the NRL, (and I raised this with Andrew and Steve after the match) is that the “modern” game is too fast for one referee. Personally I think we need two referees, one ahead of the play (much like what we have now) watching general play, and another in closer watching the play-the-ball incidents and the other little things that the main ref seems to often miss.

Steve didn’t seem to think that would work as the close ref would get in the way of play, and he is probably right, but we eventually agreed on giving back some power to the touch judges, who used to fill the role of “close ref” before the video referee came in. In my view this would be a good idea, and would improve the game as it would be cleaner, and there would be less controversy. I would give the touch judges the power to pull up play when there is a forward pass or play the ball error (how long has it been since you’ve seen somebody use their feet in the play-the-ball? It’s rare…very rare) or some other problem which needs to be pulled up.

So what do you think?

Samuel

Entry Filed under: Samuel's Editorials,Sport,TV/Radio/Media

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6 Comments

  • 1. wonko the sane  |  May 25th, 2006 at 1:37 pm

    I think there should be a referee for every player, both on and off the field, in attendance. So when a player beats up his girlfriend and breaks her nose, the ref can send him off.

  • 2. Trephinator  |  May 25th, 2006 at 3:28 pm

    I heard your call Samuel. Very brave of you to bring up such an indepth topic so late at night (by rugby league broadcasting standards).

    I’d be against the idea. The game is slowed down enough already with only one referee. In NFL there are 7 officials and in any given game there will be multiple instances of foul play going undetected.

  • 3. Chuck A. Spear  |  May 26th, 2006 at 12:48 am

    I think the game would be a lot better if they threw around a real pig instead of its bladder.

  • 4. heatseeker  |  May 26th, 2006 at 11:04 am

    I think each player should be shadowed by two referees 24-hours a day, as most of their hanky panky seems to happen off the field.

  • 5. Chuck A. Spear  |  May 26th, 2006 at 11:23 am

    I would put that hanky panky down to shear naughtyness.

  • 6. His Masters Voice  |  May 27th, 2006 at 8:00 am

    I think Phil Gould should be appointed to be an honorary referee. He seems to know exactly what’s happening after it happened. In fact he is always right with his unique hindsight.

    Chuck, have you ever tried to kick a pig? They are not very aerodynamic and it would be hard to convert tries I fear. Otherwise your idea is a good one and would ensure that players get a firm grip or the ‘ball’ would wriggle free.

    But an unscrupulous player could smear a small quantity of grease to the animal and everyone knows how hard it is to hold a greased pig. John Hopoate is well known for his unscrupulous tactics.

    But players could be frisked before the commencement of the game to be sure they aren’t carrying a tin of grease.


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