roopy said:
In the 'Joey affair' I think every aspect was handled badly.
The first mistake was allowing players to get as disrespectful of officials as they have become. Players from most clubs are guilty - the worst being Woodfood from Canberra, but Johns, Buderus and Ben Kennedy are just a few who are dreadful as well.
The second mistake - not doing something about it up to two years ago.
The third mistake - choosing a very bad time to finally take action, and the wrong 'tall poppy' to make the point.
The fourth mistake - losing the case - so players are still not getting a clear message to be more respectful - and it is very hard now to see how the message can be given.
The guy who has handled this situation so badly - Maitland boy Robert Finch.
We need a new boss of refs - Bill Harrogan springs to mind as a guy who would take appropriate action at an appropriate time (nip the problem in the bud with decisive action.)
Finch has let the problem develop - and then tried to kill a cockroach infestation with a flame thrower - and burnt the bloody house down.
Can't disagree with a lot of that.
If this had have happened 10-15 years ago when play was a lot more 'innocent' in some regards, there'd barely be a whisper of defence for Joey. "Throw the book at him" "Order him off" would have been sung out mercilessly.
However, now every second week someone's cussing some poor referee out. Be it a fan, an over zealous coach, a player.
I think some of the Captain Cranky's of the past five years should have been marched for 10 in the bin in a blitz five years ago when the heat started to get too much for them. Every now and then when the situation started burning again, back to the sin bin blitz. And so forth until players all knew their roles. Continued offendors, contrary conduct charges.
I agree with a lot of what you've said.