Controversy Surrounding Souths V Bulldogs Ref. Decision

[Yossarian]

4 weeks for yelling at a ref? That's a bit stiff.

Threatening behaviour towards a match official - personally I think they should get 6 weeks each and graham should lose the captaincy.

That sort of behaviour is why they are now going to employ security guards at juniors matches to ensure that officials don;t get harassed. Completely unacceptable at all levels and by all players - but at the very top level, by a club captain - they should make a massive example of him.

(not that it will happen. he'll be charged, appeal successfully and get off with a slap on the wrist)

If it was that bad you'd think he would have been sent off rather than sin binned. I'm not saying he gets off but 4 weeks? Please. If that's worse that a high tackle or a dangerous throw then that'll do me.

 

[innsaneink]

It all comes down to what fans deem.as a fair win. The best team lost. and the referees decisions played some part in that. Dont have a problem with the eight point try or even the last penalty - it was the two penalties before that (both dubious) to Souths, that got them back into the game, and the penalty that should have been awarded to The Bulldogs when Morris was taken out, that are hard to swallow. But now because the fans blew up, disgracefully, the refs will escape criticism again. I suspect that there would have been an adverse reaction by an element of any supporter base. due to the refereeing in that match.

yer off yer head…and what you DO have a problem with occurs in every game....yet we dont see what youre condoning at the end of every game

 

[Telltails]

It all comes down to what fans deem.as a fair win. The best team lost. and the referees decisions played some part in that. Dont have a problem with the eight point try or even the last penalty - it was the two penalties before that (both dubious) to Souths, that got them back into the game, and the penalty that should have been awarded to The Bulldogs when Morris was taken out, that are hard to swallow. But now because the fans blew up, disgracefully, the refs will escape criticism again. I suspect that there would have been an adverse reaction by an element of any supporter base. due to the refereeing in that match.

yer off yer head…and what you DO have a problem with occurs in every game....yet we dont see what youre condoning at the end of every game

Whoa - never said I condoned what happened - said it was disgraceful - but while ever referees are not permitted to justify/explain decisions that are made on the field (especially in controversial games) that the fans dont understand they will be continually targeted. Allow them to explain the rulings - they are just as important to the success and failure of this game as the coaches and the players are. Given the opportunity they may actually prove that nine times out of ten, they made the right decision and in doing so dispel the notion by many that they are incompetent.

 

[cunno]

Referees decisions are hard to take at times there's no doubt about that but the way Graham and Klemmer went on was unacceptable and both should be punished however I won't suggest penalties as I can't predict which lettuce leaf the NRL will use this week.

 

[TrueTiger]

Telltails we get poor ref decisions week in week out..many games have been lost and won on refs decisions wether we like it or not….having said that,the disgraceful behavior of the Dogs supporters is second to none...this sort of behaviour ruins our game and stops children and parents going to games..

I have become very irate at some decisions at games,but have never thrown anything at officials nor have I spat at or hit someone..the game is there to be enjoyed...not ridiculed by offending supporters in the manner in which they conduct themselves.....just my opinion though....

 

[jirskyr]

Oh the irony, suffer in your jocks Doggies. The very bloke who pushed the boundaries last week and got away with it, doesn't get away with it this week. True karma.

Behaviour of fans… of course it is a minority of their fans. But all the same, they are the only group of fans with this reputation. I can cop a controversial game with any group of fans, but Dogs fans... you always leave the ground with some care.

And James Graham - the guy is an animal on-field. I am sure he is a nice enough bloke when things calm down, but that brutal instinct that makes him a brusing footballer also makes him a real animal and at times a liability. He is always going to be getting in trouble for the way he pushes the boundaries.

 

[Telltails]

Telltails we get poor ref decisions week in week out..many games have been lost and won on refs decisions wether we like it or not….having said that,the disgraceful behavior of the Dogs supporters is second to none...this sort of behaviour ruins our game and stops children and parents going to games..

I have become very irate at some decisions at games,but have never thrown anything at officials nor have I spat at or hit someone..the game is there to be enjoyed...not ridiculed by offending supporters in the manner in which they conduct themselves.....just my opinion though....

Agree True Tiger and I too can guarantee that I would not react in the manner that was displayed yesterday - but have witnessed ugly supporters that follow other teams as well, and given the circumstances of that game if ever a supporter was going to lose it…...! After watching the game I expected a negative reaction by the fans - and I probably wasnt the only one. Yes it was disgraceful and bans should be put in place for the offenders, but still feel that it is time to let the referees answer the tough questions. While ever they are not allowed to explain their rulings fans - will continue to blame them, accuse them of favouritism, and assume that they know the rules (the fans that is) when in fact they dont, (myself included - ie when the penalty was given in front of the posts instead of where Graham had attempted the charge down). Just think it is time.

 

[Furious1]

It all comes down to what fans deem.as a fair win. The best team lost. and the referees decisions played some part in that. Dont have a problem with the eight point try or even the last penalty - it was the two penalties before that (both dubious) to Souths, that got them back into the game, and the penalty that should have been awarded to The Bulldogs when Morris was taken out, that are hard to swallow. But now because the fans blew up, disgracefully, the refs will escape criticism again. I suspect that there would have been an adverse reaction by an element of any supporter base. due to the refereeing in that match.

Plenty of us at our game against the Dogs felt robbed too. We also gave Ashley Klein and his merry men a verbal barrage at full time when they headed for the tunnel. Didn't see anyone throw anything though.
At the end of the day it's a game. I hate Souths as much as anyone and also think they get the rub of the green way too often, but the so called fans have dug their own grave on this one as have done of the dogs players

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

 

[Tiger_In_The_Gong]

It all comes down to what fans deem.as a fair win. The best team lost. and the referees decisions played some part in that. Dont have a problem with the eight point try or even the last penalty - it was the two penalties before that (both dubious) to Souths, that got them back into the game, and the penalty that should have been awarded to The Bulldogs when Morris was taken out, that are hard to swallow. But now because the fans blew up, disgracefully, the refs will escape criticism again. I suspect that there would have been an adverse reaction by an element of any supporter base. due to the refereeing in that match.

Telltails, i agree with what you are saying here.

Your not off your head and nowhere in what you said are you condoning the actions of the Bulldog supporters.

The anger that was present at the end of that game wasnt just as a result of one or two calls. It was the mood of the whole game. Other than waving a big stick at the Bulldogs nothing will ever come of this disgraceful moment in Rugby League if the powers that be dont try to understand why people were so angry in the first place. ( and no im not condoning what the fans did either and if you quote me and try to say that ill ignore you )

The real trouble and the one that exists in almost every game is that the refs are so messed up and lacking confidence that they are favouring the team that is expected to win on almost every single 50/50 call. Solve this and you solve crowd violence, dwindling crowd numbers, lower merchandise numbers and people walking away from the game and who knows what else.

 

[Tiger_In_The_Gong]

Telltails we get poor ref decisions week in week out..many games have been lost and won on refs decisions wether we like it or not….having said that,the disgraceful behavior of the Dogs supporters is second to none...this sort of behaviour ruins our game and stops children and parents going to games..

I have become very irate at some decisions at games,but have never thrown anything at officials nor have I spat at or hit someone..the game is there to be enjoyed...not ridiculed by offending supporters in the manner in which they conduct themselves.....just my opinion though....

Agree True Tiger and I too can guarantee that I would not react in the manner that was displayed yesterday - but have witnessed ugly supporters that follow other teams as well, and given the circumstances of that game if ever a supporter was going to lose it…...! After watching the game I expected a negative reaction by the fans - and I probably wasnt the only one. Yes it was disgraceful and bans should be put in place for the offenders, but still feel that it is time to let the referees answer the tough questions. While ever they are not allowed to explain their rulings fans - will continue to blame them, accuse them of favouritism, and assume that they know the rules (the fans that is) when in fact they dont, (myself included - ie when the penalty was given in front of the posts instead of where Graham had attempted the charge down). Just think it is time.

There is no chance in hell that the current administration will allow the referees to front a press conference. That is the last thing they want. They can not control that situation.

In the year when they have banned coaches from talking about the referees they arent about to let everyone have a crack at them.

 

[innsaneink]

It all comes down to what fans deem.as a fair win. The best team lost. and the referees decisions played some part in that. Dont have a problem with the eight point try or even the last penalty - it was the two penalties before that (both dubious) to Souths, that got them back into the game, and the penalty that should have been awarded to The Bulldogs when Morris was taken out, that are hard to swallow. But now because the fans blew up, disgracefully, the refs will escape criticism again. I suspect that there would have been an adverse reaction by an element of any supporter base. due to the refereeing in that match.

yer off yer head…and what you DO have a problem with occurs in every game....yet we dont see what youre condoning at the end of every game

Whoa - never said I condoned what happened - said it was disgraceful - but while ever referees are not permitted to justify/explain decisions that are made on the field (especially in controversial games) that the fans dont understand they will be continually targeted. Allow them to explain the rulings - they are just as important to the success and failure of this game as the coaches and the players are. Given the opportunity they may actually prove that nine times out of ten, they made the right decision and in doing so dispel the notion by many that they are incompetent.

The way Im reading it is youre justifying the actions of the Dogs members violence by blaming the refs performance and the fact they dont have to explain their decisions.
Even if what you propose was in place, and refs could explain at a presser or similar…I doubt that wouldve calmed the rabid mob last night.
Anyway, its been confirmed the decision that incited it all was correct, yes theyre not perfect and tough calls happen in games....it happens to everyone and isnt confined to sport, its a fact of life too

 

[Tim Sheens]

The dogs should have already come out and stood Graham down from the captaincy, regardless of any possible, yet unlikely further NRL action. The guy is a seasoned international, yet carries on like a total twat berating the ref which ignited an already displeased crowd.

His physical gesturing and his bulging eyed moron mate that were in the refs face was an absolutely shocking look for the game and should be punished with at least a game suspension for mine. More importantly they should be made to spend plenty of time at junior league games and/or training over the coming weeks apologising to parents and explaining to the youngsters that their actions were completely wrong and the referee was correct.

 

[Geo]

Strip the Dogs of Competition points…suspended...any more lunatic behaviour by the so called Fans results in loss off points......

 

[Tiger_In_The_Gong]

And Isak Luke chimes in with his own classy touch.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/south-sydney-rabbitohs/south-sydney-rabbitohs-star-issac-luke-apologises-for-homophobic-slur-on-instagram-20150404-1memyw.html

Homophobic slurs and inciting violence with the fans. Not just influencing them but actually challenging them to take him on in an event he anticipates will end violently.

Hope you Bulldogs haters are equally as quick to slam his actions. In my mind they are much worse because they were said outisde of the heat of the game.

You want to talk scum. right here is absolute scum.

 

[Geo]

Agree with you there TITG…He is a grub of the highest order as well....BTW I share my hate around the other 15 NRL Clubs equally...Hate them ALL...simple

 

[Tiger_In_The_Gong]

Agree with you there TITG…He is a grub of the highest order as well....BTW I share my hate around the other 15 NRL Clubs equally...Hate them ALL...simple

Given his actions in defense of wife beater Au'va as also mentioned in the article and the recent issue with the Union payer and his homophobic slur and the way Union delt with that Luke has to be heading for trouble.

 

[happy_tiger]

I don't think the NRL has a choice but to go hard on the Dogs and their fans with Toddie in a position of power now

If they don't they will look weak and powerless

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

read this somewhere today

not all bulldog fans are hooligans but all hooligans are bulldogs fans

 

[Telltails]

It all comes down to what fans deem.as a fair win. The best team lost. and the referees decisions played some part in that. Dont have a problem with the eight point try or even the last penalty - it was the two penalties before that (both dubious) to Souths, that got them back into the game, and the penalty that should have been awarded to The Bulldogs when Morris was taken out, that are hard to swallow. But now because the fans blew up, disgracefully, the refs will escape criticism again. I suspect that there would have been an adverse reaction by an element of any supporter base. due to the refereeing in that match.

yer off yer head…and what you DO have a problem with occurs in every game....yet we dont see what youre condoning at the end of every game

Whoa - never said I condoned what happened - said it was disgraceful - but while ever referees are not permitted to justify/explain decisions that are made on the field (especially in controversial games) that the fans dont understand they will be continually targeted. Allow them to explain the rulings - they are just as important to the success and failure of this game as the coaches and the players are. Given the opportunity they may actually prove that nine times out of ten, they made the right decision and in doing so dispel the notion by many that they are incompetent.

The way Im reading it is youre justifying the actions of the Dogs members violence by blaming the refs performance and the fact they dont have to explain their decisions.
Even if what you propose was in place, and refs could explain at a presser or similar…I doubt that wouldve calmed the rabid mob last night.
Anyway, its been confirmed the decision that incited it all was correct, yes theyre not perfect and tough calls happen in games....it happens to everyone and isnt confined to sport, its a fact of life too

Never could justify what happened yesterday. Was I surprised by it - no - almost expected it. While I feel that James Grahams reaction as captain was partly responsible for the negative reaction by the offending fans, I honestly believe that a lot of the problem relates to the fact that fans in general feel the referees are often responsible for teams winning and or losing, either cause they are considered incompetent, and or they favour some teams over others.A consensus shared also by many on this forum. A misguided notion maybe, but while ever they are gagged how on earth can they show otherwise. Let them answer some of the tough questions - which may result in them being more consistent with some of their discretionary penalties , while also proving that they actually are way more informed about the rules than most of us sideline geniuses give them credit for. If not the ref themselves, then at least an appointed representative. We are all accountable for our performance in our places of work why not referees - we are the paying customers. Yesterdays disgraceful episode suggests that the NRL must evaluate the image of the ref in the eyes of the supporter, and while most supporters behave admirably and cop it on the chin, controversial games like yesterdays will continue to incite inappropriate behaviours. Just my view dont expect you to agree.

 

[innsaneink]

I agree many feel refs are responsible for deciding outcomes at time thru errors….however I never expect to see that behaviour from our fans....or any other teams fans

Its only a problem for one set of fans...every other set of fans can cop it on the chin, go and vent on forums without resorting to violence...when you say you expected it, that reads to me you blame the refs for it happening...**but this is not the refs fault.**....if im reading you wrongly I apologize