Time for Finch to fly the coop

Whilst it was never my intent to start a blog that focuses solely on rugby league-related issues, I guess like most I find that I have much more to say about things that I know a great deal about. So it is that I launch into yet another topic about the greatest sport there is.

I write this particular piece that highlights a negative aspect of the game not because I'm trying to bring it down like all those alleged "journalists" plying their trade in the AFL states, but because I deeply care for the game, and have found this issue to be one of deep frustration.

The issue is Robert Finch's tenure as boss of the referees. To anyone who has taken even a passing interest in the game over the last 10-15 years, it will be painfully obvious that the standard of officiating - at least at an NRL level - is at an all-time low. Not a week, or indeed most of the time not even a match can pass by without a few contentious calls that leave all of us scratching our heads in disbelief. Whether it's something simple - like a penalty being given for a strip despite the ball never leaving the hands of the carrier - or something game changing, like a try being denied despite all available evidence pointing to the contrary, the referees in the game today are simply not up to the job.

It is often said that a game well refereed is one when you don't notice the man in the middle. This season, and probably for the past few, there is literally not a single match you can say that for, and that's sad.

Don't even get me started on the separation vs control debate when it comes to grounding the ball. The fact a player can drop the ball, but still have a finger on it when it touches the turf and be awarded the try is an absolute travesty. But I digress.

Now I understand the pressures these referees are under. Every single decision they make is scrutinised by the fans, the players, the coaches and the media. They're subject to abuse every time they go out with the whistle, be it from the players, or more likely from the crowds, but that's why they're paid the big bucks. They're human, and sure they're going to make mistakes. I don't think I speak out of turn when I say that the game-watching public can deal with that if it happens from time to time. The view of the referee may be blocked and they miss a knock on, for example. It's annoying, but it's something that we can all accept, provided it's not happening constantly. But that's the problem. It is.

So I ask the question: Who does the buck stop with? If it were one or two referees who were consistently bad, consistently getting the decisions wrong, you could explain it away as simply a couple of bad apples. The fact that it appears to be every single one of them leads me to one conclusion: the buck stops with the boss. Step forward, Mr Robert Finch. A man who, having never been a referee in his life, is somehow in control of them at the highest level. A man who has overseen the most dramatic slump in officiating standards in recent memory. A man who has demonstrated a lack of understanding of the rules and the reasons for them. Put simpy, a man unsuited to the job.

Robert Finch is directly responsible for the alarming incompetence of the referees. If his job description is to prepare a squad of referees so that they are competent enough to be given the whistle for a first grade NRL game, then he has failed miserably to meet it. It is for this reason that I say here and now that Robert Finch should resign from his post. Do the honourable thing and walk away. Bring in someone with actual refereeing experience, someone not carrying so much baggage from previous appointments with various clubs. Sure, they may not be any better, but they sure as hell can't be any worse.

NSW 28 Queensland 16

Well, I got that one wrong didn't I? NSW were just too good on the night. I still think the NSW selectors have got it wrong all series, and the performances (or lack of) of David Williams, Josh Perry and Glenn Stewart were a case in point, but full credit to them tonight. They were the far superior team and probably deserved to win by more than they did in the end.

A special congratulations to Anthony Watmough. He has had more than his fair share of critics, particularly that he doesn't perform in the big games, but he was immense out there. The best game I have seen him play.

With that out of the way, I move to a real bugbear of mine. The standard of refereeing in the NRL. Those that know me will know that I don't particularly rate the way the top level is refereed these days. I know I should be easier on them given that I have some understanding of the pressures that they're under, but at the same time I also have a very good knowledge of the rules, and the fact is that they appear to be making blunder after blunder. And it's getting worse. The performances of Shayne Hayne and Tony Archer tonight were well below par. When they weren't turning a blind eye to facials, forearms and elbows, they were penalising players for the most innocuous of actions. I have no problem with the theory of being lenient in the Origin arena, but they got it the wrong way round tonight.

While there will be many who deride the game for the violence of the last 5 minutes, I thought it was absolutely fantastic. There was real passion on display - from both sides - and that's something that this game is sorely lacking at the moment.

Maroonwash

Ah yes, it's that time of the year. Time for the Mighty Maroons from Queensland to show those pesky cockroaches who the best state is. Time for both sets of fans cheer on their team in the decid.... errr hang on. What's that? Queensland have already won the series? Well why the hell are we going around again?

I'll tell you why... MAROONWASH! Queensland are out to win the series 3-0 and inflict the ultimate humiliation on the pensioners, powder puffs and marshmallows (oh, and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, the only player who doesn't fall into the aforementioned categories) from New South Wales. And achieve it they will. I'm fully expecting Queensland to celebrate their record 4th consecutive series victory in the most emphatic of ways.

Some will say that this result was inevitable, and that NSW never stood a chance against the might of one of the greatest Queensland sides ever assembled. Excuses. The real fact is the NSW selectors have failed right from the outset. Game I, and despite being the better performed of the halves, Terry Campese is dropped for failing to lead NSW to victory. This despite the fact NSW selectors promised they were looking to the future and would show faith in the 17 selected regardless of the result.

In fact, the NSW selectors have shown so little faith in their initial squad that at the end of the series they will have used 30 players. That's an average of 6 changes per game. Some faith. The worst part of this though was that they dropped some players while others - playing just as badly - seem untouchable. Kurt Gidley remains at fullback despite being absolutely awful. Don't get me started on the selections of Josh Perry and Brett White.

I've yet to mention the practice of NSW selecting injured players. By all reports, 5 or 6 players were unable to train right up to Origin II. Peter Wallace actually played injured, and failed miserably. Despite that, they are destined to repeat the same mistake with Kurt Gidley tonight also due to play injured, having not trained all week.

It's enough to make me almost feel sorry for NSW supporters... until I remember that they are NSW supporters, that is. So for those cockroaches amongst us, read it and weep:

2006 - Queensland 2-1
2007 - Queensland 2-1
2008 - Queensland 2-1
2009 - Queensland 3-0

skeepe's prediction: Queensland 42-16 New South Wales, FTS: Greg Inglis MOTM: Johnathon Thurston

Just Another Welcome Post

Yes, that's right. This is my blog. I felt the blogosphere wasn't crowded enough, and that I should add my own voice to the mix. Why? Well, because I've got a lot to say. I don't really care if nobody reads it, the fact that I've put my thoughts into words is enough. That said, you're reading this so I've already exceeded my expectations.

So what is this blog about? Well, like most, there's no real topic. If I have something to say, I'll say it. I have strong opinions about a multitude of topics and I won't apologise for that. If you like what you read, let me know. If you don't, let me know that too. If you just don't care enough, thanks for reading anyway.

skeepe