Harrigan is an embarassment to the game

[imported_justme]

I have just watched the absolute worst and most blatantly biased referring performance I have ever seen in my life. One can understand why Allan Jones stands by his assertions thatHarrigan is a cheat,it is just too hard to believe he could possibly be that inept.

I follow neither team but anyone who says he wasn't pedanticly refereeing just one side tonight ain orderto get the Knights home is a bloody fool. Never mind players signing with union etc, that performance tonight did more to embarrass RL than anything Union could come up with. I just can't believe what I have seen tonight.

 

[imported_bronco]

Harrigan should've got man of the match tonight. He was the stand out performer, the game breaker if you like. He really dug deep and pulled a victory out of the hat for Newcastle. The better team lost tonight and Newcastle wouldn't have got home if they were matched by even numbers on the field.

I don't think even roopy can deny Harrigan just gave Newcastle the easiest 2 points they'll ever get.

 

[imported_justme]

It reminds me of a game many years ago when Ken Irvine who was captaining North Sydney at the time led his team off the field in protest at the ref. I also recall Phil Gould calling thePanthers to come off in a game against Harrigan for the same reasons. Cayliss should have walked his team off tonight as there was no way Harrigan was going to give them a fair shot at it.

No doubt the better team was truly robbed tonight and it was an absolute disgrace.

 

[imported_bronco]

You can bet Cayless was close to it, especially after Buettner was sent off for a second time in one final power trip for Bill. Whats the bet Brian Smith cops the fine and has a go at Bill, I'd be happy to chip in and help pay it.

 

[Willow]

I'm still watching thegamebut have just read the updates and match report at LUO.

In the first half, Parra played great... they weathered a 5-0 penalty count against them and looked the better team. But its not enough for Bill... he's warning them that he will sin bin them for trivial things.

Bill Harrigan is the Darcy Lawler of the modern age. Except with Darcy, he was straight out corrupt because he gambled on the outcome of matches. Bill is a more complex personality who has severe ego problems. IMO, this is far more dangerous.

After being forced to behave himself in SOOIII, its obvious that his head was about the explode. Tonight appears to be the night and he did so in front of 21,800 people and almost certainly a huge TV audience.

From LUO:
"With a very even game, the promise of a close second half was shattered when Bill Harrigan, after continuously warning the Eels about the play of the ball, sent 3 Eels players consecutively to the sin bin."

Piss off Bill. I don't follow the game to watch you...

 

[imported_justme]

Actually Willow he sent 5 in all I think, the Eels were down to 10 men for the last 15 mins. The thing is both sides were equally guilty of the same pedantic things which occur every game every week but Harrigan was hell bent on getting the knights up. In the end he went to such extremes that I don't think he realised just how obvious he was becoming.

I think he had a lot riding on that game and was going to do whatever it took and did so.

If nothing is done about that performance then I swear I will not believe the results are fair dinkum.

 

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[Willow]

I've just seen two. Buetnner and Hindmarsh. The latter with blood pouring from the snoz after he copped a head high in a previous tackle.
IMO, both players cleared the ruck quick enough...
Still Parra with 11 men look like the better team.

 

[imported_justme]

LOL, what head high? Bill says there wasn't any, not by Newcastle anyway. They are perfect, can't you see how they don't have any hands in the play the ball and how quickly they clear the ruck area

It gets better Willow, he gets more desperate to get the knight home so sends another 3 eels to gothe bin. I think billy was panicking he wasn't going to be able to collect.

 

[Willow]

Dykes has just been sent in my replay. He did bugger all.

Its10 against 13 and finally Newcastle score.

When was the last time a team was forced to play with 10 men?

 

[imported_bronco]

I'm sure it was 4 justme. Buettner gets done for decent late in the game and McFadden/Dykes (forget which one, too many to keep track of) also gets sent for crap around the play the ball.

I've never been one to really critise Bill Harrigan because really right across the board the refereeing standard is so poor at present but I'd be happy if they kicked him out of the game for good after tonight. Lets hope Cecchin doesn't get too big for his boots and become another Bill Harrigan because if he can keep his ego down hes going to be taking over the reins in the years to come.

 

[imported_justme]

He sends Vella off in the 75th minute for giving the linesman a gobfull.

 

[imported_bronco]

I'm pretty sure that it was Buettner because he was wearing the number 3, they all look alike with the shaved heads but you won't ever find Vella out in the centres.

 

[imported_justme]

To be honest not one of the sin bins were trulyjustified. Both teams were doing exactly the same thing but he was just intent on sending off eels players. I'm at least pleased that Sterling, Vautin and co were expressing their embarasment as well. It got so bad even Ray Price was laughing his head off in the end.

 

[imported_bronco]

Stirlo made the comment when it was at 2 sin binnings I think that he didn't think he was being biased in saying that no team has really stood out in infrigements at the play the ball area, he couldn't have been more spot on with that comment.
What I couldn't believe was the cool face Brian Smith was putting on. If it was me I would've marched down to the pitch and heckled Harrigan from the sidelines, I'm no Eels supporter but I was ready to throw the TV out the window.

 

[Willow]

Buetnner was sent to the binin the last few minutes for giving 'a gob full' to the bloody linesman !!!!!
Bill said, 'he is wearing the same uniform as me and you just gave him a gob full so your off to the bin'

That makes four...

...no justification whatsoever for what this ref has done here tonight. The game isnt worth watching as long referees like Bill Harrigan exist.

 

[imported_justme]

your right Bronco, it was Buetner, sorry about that. Now that I've watched it again I can't understand why Cayless didn't lead the team off the field. Harrigan should be drummed out of the game, he is not a first grade ref andruins a game with his stupid ego.None of it was justified andall he'll do is apologise as he always doesin 3 days time and hope it'll all blow over.

The NRL should give the 2 points to the Eels or rescind the game. The Knights on that performance don't deserve the points or deserve a place in the finals if that's what they need to win.

 

[Willow]

imo, Buetnner was one of the best players out there tonight. He was tremendous in the first half... unfortunately, we didnt see much of him in the second half half.

Full time on the delayed telecast and I share the disgust that Bronco and Justme have expressed.

Brian Smith btw, is straight faced. He applauding his team off the field. They were afterallbeaten by the ref, not by the opposition.

PerhapsSmith knows that Bill has just dug himself into a pit.

 

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[imported_justme]

There will be many who watched that tonight and will not believe the game is fair dinkum. It looked more like WWF bullshit. I usually watch most gasmes of a weekend and was intending to go to the Warriors/Sharks game but that does it for me. I am totally disgusted that such things can happen in our game and won't bother watching any more for awhile.

I still thinkHarrigan panicked as theThe Knights were flat out beating a 10 man team so he had to up the ante.

I will also say I have found some respect for Smith the way he handled himself. If it was me I would have dead set satHarrigan on his arse regardless of the consequences.