Tony Archer = GF Ref

[Timmah]

Tony Archer has been named referee of Sunday's Grand Final between Melbourne and Manly at Telstra Stadium.

Archer becomes the 22nd person to referee a first grade premiership grand final. It is the first major refereeing appointment for Archer and he's excited by the achievement.

Referees coach Robert Finch has also announced that Steve Chiddy and Russell Turner will be sideline officials with Bill Harrigan and Phil Cooley in the video referees box.

http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=14854

 

[voltron]

no surprises there
he's been doing a good job in a tough gig.
all the best to him!

 

[Ridders]

good on him, a worthy selection.

prolly helped him that all the other refs were all performing at a sub-standard level but meh, good luck to him. hopefully we won't be talking too much about him after Sunday night

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

he certainly has improved over the last couple of years.

 

[skeepe]

Good choice. Simpkins made some dreadful calls on Saturday night.

 

[big pat]

abbott and costello in the video refs box.

 

[Stormboyz]

Thank f**k it's not Simpkins

 

[Manly fLIP]

Thank f**k it's not Simpkins

Yeah, Archer lets your lot get away with dislocating players limbs.

 

[Jono078]

Well done.

Best ref by a mile last year and quite solid this year besides for early on where he was influenced heavily by the crowd.

 

[aids]

clarke better retire now.

 

[MattJ]

There really wasnt anyone challenging him for the gig, congrats to Archer, you deserve the game.

 

[woowoo]

Couldn't agree more with the appointment of Archer for the grand final. Has been the most consistent ref this season and this is just reward for his efforts.
Congratulations Tony Archer.

 

[robbz]

Clark should have got it

 

[Frederick]

And you should've been aborted

 

[SSFC Hitman]

I say bring back Mogsheen Jadwat for the GF!!!

BTW Timmah any idea for the PL ref? Don't they usually use a first grade ref like maybe Hayne or one of the younger guys in Cummins.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

I thought Archer was a bit ordinary, but good enough to get the nod. He's been consistent, and the most improved referee.

At least its not Simpkins.

3 GF's 3 different referees, how often does that happen?

 

[Timmah]

It happens when there's a dearth of good refs

None of them, even Archer, are consistent enough season to season. I held hopes for Clark but he's too pressured by home crowds. Simpkins has gone in a similar way.

 

[Azkatro]

In the immortal words of Paul Bowman... "F*CK OFF TONY!!!"

 

[PARRA_FAN]

In the immortal words of Paul Bowman... "F*CK OFF TONY!!!"

:lol:

I remember that, was that last year or the year before?

He copped a slap in the face and Archer said play on.

 

[Lowdown]

Thanks Finch - no Simpkins. [ticks box]

However, I hold my breath that we'll be talking about a great game (win or lose) on Monday, and not the officiating like last year.