1. Ten part-time officials sacked by the ARL
On Thursday night the death knell came down on at least ten part-time referee’s after Peter V’landys decision to return to one on-field referee for the remainder of 2020.
Rest In Peace the Touch Judge. Tonight’s decision to revert back to 1 Referee will now see Referees relegated to the sideline rather than seeing a Touch Judge progress through the ranks to make it in the NRL. A short sighted decision aimed at the lowest paid official. https://t.co/ZmxnVFVuBO
— Luke Potter (@Pottz99) May 13, 2020
Part-timers Beashel, Bohan, McFarlane, Morel, Nichols, C.Sharpe, Wise, Younis = 1,421 first grade games, 6 grand finals, 18 origins, 24 Test Matches combined, yet they are considered inferior performers on the touch line, according to the ARLC Chairman. @badel_cmail #NRL https://t.co/tHsnVabV7M
— Rohan Best (@RP_BEST) May 14, 2020
This is set to become a messy situation for the game with the referee’s set to take this to Fair Work Australia for a breach of their Enterprise Bargaining agreement. All indications are suggesting that the referees were not consulted in the decision making. The lack of consultation has plagued the NRL with players and broadcasters having their fair share of problems with the season reboot.
There are very few happy about the change whether they are fans, players or coaches. Wayne Bennett and Phil Gould appear to be those in the minority who think the right call was made.
An excellent article was written by respected Fairfax sports writer Andrew Webster put the decision by HQ into perspective.
“When I became chairman, I said I would listen to the fans,” V’landys declared after Wednesday night’s momentous commission meeting. “Last year, we conducted a fan survey and the overwhelming majority of fans said they wanted to go back to one referee and their views should be taken on board.”
That remark confused quite a few people inside the NRL, including referees, because they had never heard of this compelling new data.
There was suspicion as to whether it actually existed, which says a lot about the culture at League Central right now. Another suggestion was that it came out of a reader survey in The Daily Telegraph.
…
The poll came off the back of last year’s grand final, when referee Ben Cummins signalled Canberra had six more tackles but then backflipped, leaving poor old five-eighth Jack Wighton tackled on the last.
To read the full story go to: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/the-flimsy-fan-survey-that-prompted-v-landys-monumental-one-ref-edict-20200514-p54szb.html
In my column last week I warned of the lack of accountability that was set to come our way in 2020 with the reduced referee resources. Fans, you have been warned! We are in for a rocky season.
This stand-off will trouble the game this coming week.
At the same meeting a rule change was made to allow a six again call for any ruck infringements. My initial thoughts are that the game will create more controversy for itself with inconsistency and that games could be decided by a rash call. I’m sure there will be more time to analyse this over the coming weeks.
Extra-Time: Luke Bateman leaves the Raiders
An emotional Luke Bateman has announced that he’s left the Raiders. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
