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http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23135512-23214,00.html
Referees point Panthers in right direction
By Stuart Honeysett
January 31, 2008
THE Penrith first grade side and coaching staff have trained with the NRL referees squad in a bid to improve its shoddy discipline from last season.
Panthers coach Matt Elliott was one of seven absentees at a NRL briefing yesterday with coaches to explain rules for the 2008 season, including a crackdown on the controversial grapple tackle.
Referees boss Robert Finch said yesterday Elliott and his players had already been schooled in the latest procedures after accepting an invitation to train with the whistleblowers.
The Panthers were the worst disciplined team last season with 187 penalties, an average of 7.8 a game, which contributed to the club collecting the wooden spoon.
"We were the most penalised team in the competition last year and that certainly didn't impact positively on our results," Elliott said. "We got a great deal of insight into it from what they did and a lot of players were surprised at how thorough they are, and how they assess each other, and how much they know about each individual player.
"It was good for the players to see how committed they are to improve as refs and the game."
Finch also described the session as very positive.
"Elliott brought the whole squad down plus his support staff last week and we trained together and then did theory sessions in the office," Finch said.
Elliott was unavailable for yesterday's pow-wow along with Brad Fittler (Sydney Roosters), Nathan Brown (St George Illawarra), Jason Taylor (South Sydney), Ivan Cleary (Warriors), John Cartwright (Gold Coast) and Brian Smith (Newcastle).
Those in attendance had the new laws for grapple tackles explained before watching a practical demonstration.
The grapple tackle has blighted the game since teams began using it as a method to slow down the ruck and previous attempts to eradicate it, including an agreement by coaches in 2004, have failed. However, following a public backlash last season and concern over player safety, Parramatta coach Michael Hagan said there was a new resolve among the game's caretakers to eliminate the practice.
"The NRL conference made clear that's not a very good thing for our game and I think most coaches, players and administrators are working towards that," Hagan said. "They've made some fairly clear rules where unnecessary contact with the head or neck will result in a penalty and players will soon learn that, if you're guilty of doing that, you'll concede possession.
"We know that defending penalties is probably the hardest part of our game so I'm sure the players and coaches will take the hint."
Hagan said any contact with the head or neck this season that restricted a player's movement would result in the referee calling "release" before taking sterner action.
"In the end, players and the referees need to work together on the field and communication was emphasised today and that can only be a positive thing," Hagan said. "The head or neck is really a dangerous area for the game and sometimes it's accidental and what they're saying is, if that is the case, if you release your arms from the area, it won't be a problem."
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said he didn't expect any major upheaval in the early rounds as the NRL had already cracked down on grapples at the end of last season.
"Any problems will be hopefully sorted out through the trials so I can't see it being a whole lot different to what the last eight weeks were last year," Bellamy said.
"They came down on that (grapples) before the semis and everyone adapted to it.
"How many penalties were there for grapples in the last eight weeks? Not many."
Finch said he did not anticipate a penalty blitz in the opening rounds provided players adapted to the new guidelines.
"There will be a tougher stance in regards to judiciary with it and I know we'll be leaning on the side of working hard and getting rid of it. So we will penalise if the grapple's there," Finch said.
"Very adaptable players and coaches will drive it, so I'm very hopeful, going forward, it will be eradicated."
Referees point Panthers in right direction
By Stuart Honeysett
January 31, 2008
THE Penrith first grade side and coaching staff have trained with the NRL referees squad in a bid to improve its shoddy discipline from last season.
Panthers coach Matt Elliott was one of seven absentees at a NRL briefing yesterday with coaches to explain rules for the 2008 season, including a crackdown on the controversial grapple tackle.
Referees boss Robert Finch said yesterday Elliott and his players had already been schooled in the latest procedures after accepting an invitation to train with the whistleblowers.
The Panthers were the worst disciplined team last season with 187 penalties, an average of 7.8 a game, which contributed to the club collecting the wooden spoon.
"We were the most penalised team in the competition last year and that certainly didn't impact positively on our results," Elliott said. "We got a great deal of insight into it from what they did and a lot of players were surprised at how thorough they are, and how they assess each other, and how much they know about each individual player.
"It was good for the players to see how committed they are to improve as refs and the game."
Finch also described the session as very positive.
"Elliott brought the whole squad down plus his support staff last week and we trained together and then did theory sessions in the office," Finch said.
Elliott was unavailable for yesterday's pow-wow along with Brad Fittler (Sydney Roosters), Nathan Brown (St George Illawarra), Jason Taylor (South Sydney), Ivan Cleary (Warriors), John Cartwright (Gold Coast) and Brian Smith (Newcastle).
Those in attendance had the new laws for grapple tackles explained before watching a practical demonstration.
The grapple tackle has blighted the game since teams began using it as a method to slow down the ruck and previous attempts to eradicate it, including an agreement by coaches in 2004, have failed. However, following a public backlash last season and concern over player safety, Parramatta coach Michael Hagan said there was a new resolve among the game's caretakers to eliminate the practice.
"The NRL conference made clear that's not a very good thing for our game and I think most coaches, players and administrators are working towards that," Hagan said. "They've made some fairly clear rules where unnecessary contact with the head or neck will result in a penalty and players will soon learn that, if you're guilty of doing that, you'll concede possession.
"We know that defending penalties is probably the hardest part of our game so I'm sure the players and coaches will take the hint."
Hagan said any contact with the head or neck this season that restricted a player's movement would result in the referee calling "release" before taking sterner action.
"In the end, players and the referees need to work together on the field and communication was emphasised today and that can only be a positive thing," Hagan said. "The head or neck is really a dangerous area for the game and sometimes it's accidental and what they're saying is, if that is the case, if you release your arms from the area, it won't be a problem."
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said he didn't expect any major upheaval in the early rounds as the NRL had already cracked down on grapples at the end of last season.
"Any problems will be hopefully sorted out through the trials so I can't see it being a whole lot different to what the last eight weeks were last year," Bellamy said.
"They came down on that (grapples) before the semis and everyone adapted to it.
"How many penalties were there for grapples in the last eight weeks? Not many."
Finch said he did not anticipate a penalty blitz in the opening rounds provided players adapted to the new guidelines.
"There will be a tougher stance in regards to judiciary with it and I know we'll be leaning on the side of working hard and getting rid of it. So we will penalise if the grapple's there," Finch said.
"Very adaptable players and coaches will drive it, so I'm very hopeful, going forward, it will be eradicated."
