tiger pride said:
I spoke to Bill in Canberra last year for about 10 odd minutes and he seemed sane, although advised me that refereeing is not a good thing to be doing, and doesn't recomend people taking it up, but if this is true, that's ridiculous... But surely he was kidding?.... right???? :?
I really don't think he was kidding although I'm sure he was looking to at least create some controversy through it. i posted about this on the Dogs debate page earlier so for anyone who hasn't read League Week here's my summary if his article
He has this idea that teams should be allowed 2 forward passes per half. He then goes into these rules to go along with that. Seeing as i have no work i'll hit you with some of it. It goes something like this:
- Teams get 2 forward passes each per half
- The pass must travel more than 10 metres
- They can't save the passes to use all 4 in the 2nd half
- The pass can be thrown either the normal way or in gridiron overarm fashion
- It must be caught on the full. If caught on the full play continues as normal BUT the tackle count restarts again
- If the ball is dropped the passing team comes back and plays the ball from where the pass was thrown as if a tackle had occured. If it was passed and dropped on the last tackle a changeover is affected where the ball was passed from
- The last 2 rules give incentive to the attacking team to use the forward pass as they know if the pass goes to ground they get the ball back or if they catch it the tackle count restarts
- If there is any doubt by officials as to whether the pass went 10 metres play will be stopped while the video ref checks it.
It goes on and on with examples of how the fans would love it if this rule came in blah blah blah
Then to follow that up in the article Bill then describes how the rule would work in action with this fantastic piece of fiction writing (and this is an exact quote:
'Who could forget the Queensland try scored by Mark Coyne in the first State of Origin of 1994 played at the SFS? Behind 12-10 and pegged deep in their own half, the Maroons decided to take a punt and run the ball.
Eight players handled in an exhilarating passage of play that will be remembered as one of the best ever. Coyne stretched out and planted the ball on the line as he was tackled. it was sensational.
Well picture this....
Andrew Johns recieving the ball at halfback on the fifth and last tackle just inside his own 40, but instead of preparing to kick the 40-20 everyone expects, he throws a spiralling torpedo pass 25 metres sideways and 20 metres forward to Timana Tahu flying down the sideline.
Tahu takes the ball on the full and races a further 10 metres before being dragged down by a Queensland defender.
The defence struggles to get back onside and Tahu's team-mates race up with added enthusiasm as the referee calls 'forward pass play, restart the tackle count, tackle one'
The crowd would roar, cheer and clap the inspirational piece of play, which has put NSW on the attack 30 metres out from Queensland's line.
If Tahu was to drop the ball of the pass was just off target you would see and hear the exasperation of the crowd.
It would be not unlike the great shots you see of the crowd when a close video decision goes against their team.'
That prompted some of us to come up with our own new rules and here is mine:
I've got a new rule: Twice in each half a team is allowed to tackle the referee. Here's a description:
'Steve Price went up to question Tim Mander about a contencious ruling but was turned away with a wave of the hand and a 'Go Away Steve'. He retreats back to his players and has a quiet word to Mark O'Meley.
The referee blows a penalty to the opposition putting them firmly within range of the Bulldogs line. As the ball is tapped and passed, Mark o'Meley flies up out of the line and creams Tim Mander in a beautiful tackle, hitting him just under the ribs and sending the whistle halfway down his throat. In shock the opposition drop the ball, Brent Sherwin cleans it up for the Dogs and passes wide to Anasta who sends Willie Tonga on a 70 metre run to the line for a try under the posts.'
To quote Bill's article (because I think he put it best): 'The crowd would roar, cheer and clap the inspirational piece of play'
