Back when refs had spines...

[langpark]

I stumbled upon this video today, Bill Harrigan not hesitating to sin-bin a player, you NEVER see this happen anymore, take a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z60tLxWEkk

It may seem harsh, but nowadays I feel the opposite happens. Players have learned they don't have to show any self-control or restraint anymore because the worst that will happen is they might get a stern 'talking to'.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Because, whenever a ref does anything even remotely controversial, half the league begins a campaign for their head...

Its easy to say "the ref needs to grow a pair and make the tough calls,THATS how they get respect..." But its a bit difficult when coaches and players are allowed to come out after a game and ridicule decisions.

 

[langpark]

I agree, the criticism from the commentators, media, refs, players, coaches etc. is largely to blame! It's a real shame.

 

[Rabbits20]

I agree, the criticism from the commentators, media, refs, players, coaches etc. is largely to blame! It's a real shame.

All we want is to get good consistency in decisions.

Not a player getting sin binned and then in a couple of other games on the next day a player/s do the same professional foul but only get penalized.

Refs don't sin bin very clear professional fouls but sin bin a player who should have just been penalized.

Every year the referees get worse. Now Shayne Hayne is gonna be a mentor. Goodness me.

 

[TheFrog]

I stumbled upon this video today, Bill Harrigan not hesitating to sin-bin a player, you NEVER see this happen anymore, take a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z60tLxWEkk

It may seem harsh, but nowadays I feel the opposite happens. Players have learned they don't have to show any self-control or restraint anymore because the worst that will happen is they might get a stern 'talking to'.

Looking at that clip, the Sharks bloke on the ground looks to have interfered with the Manly dummy half. Maybe it was accidental, maybe not. Billy always made up the rules as he went along.

 

[Cockadoodledoo]

Bill Harrigan was a joke, he testified in support of Alan Cann to help him avoid suspension for this tackle on Brad Fittler which was lucky not to break his neck.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eebHteBaAs4

 

[Chook Norris]

Bill Harrigan was a joke, he testified in support of Alan Cann to help him avoid suspension for this tackle on Brad Fittler which was lucky not to break his neck.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eebHteBaAs4

Pretty funny to see Cann's wife(?) in the comments defending him

 

[TheDalek079]

we need more penalties for running not in the spirit of the game

 

[wittyfan]

I remember that game, the great Northern Eagles blew an 18-0 lead to lose by plenty.

 

[txta2]

Yeah Hoppa had a shocker. Maybe 5 minutes in the bin for idiocy not 10 .But Bill always harshly made calls out of the blue then let blatent shit go.

 

[eozsmiles]

Make penalty goals worth 4 points and everyone will be on their best behaviour.
Because let's face it, if we can't stop blokes bashing their wives and urinating in public, we've got no chance of having them behave on a footy field. So we might as well make the penalty something they can actually calculate in their heads - points on the scoreboard.

 

[Twatface Magee]

As if you should get sin binned for throwing a ball at another player....

 

[God-King Dean]

Really?

We're using Harrigan as a benchmark for refereeing?

Self promotion does not make you the best ref.

 

[timka4]

Make penalty goals worth 4 points and everyone will be on their best behaviour.

And make the game like union? No thanks

 

[Hutty1986]

If only refs had spines when it came to grubs like Cameron Smith

 

[Card Shark]

If only refs had spines when it came to grubs like Cameron Smith

If only judges had spines when determining bail & sentencing.

 

[kbw]

If only refs had spines when it came to grubs like Cameron Smith

While Harrigan was one of the last of the refs to demand respect, he started the rot by favouring teams and players.
He would have sin binned players if they didn't let Csmith twist their heads off

 

[Mr Spock!]

Didn't he send 3 Knights players to the bin in one game.

 

[Rabbits20]

If only refs had spines when it came to grubs like Cameron Smith

Yep and Ennis. The worst!

 

[Rabbits20]

If only judges had spines when determining bail & sentencing.

Agreed mate.