dubious calls have been going on since 1908...
it's just that now we get to see them up-close, with different angles and in HD...
Unfortunately for the game and the NRL, never has there been as much focus on the game.
The NRL decided to use this technology to its advantage to ensure we get correct rulings.
These measures now include 2 touch judges, 2 refs who have ear pieces which are wired to officials in the bunker, then the bunker itself with 2 refs, more tv screens than in a Harvey Norman store, camera angles galore, close up shots , slow motion and real time vision, frame by frame, they have the lot but they still can't get it right.
In an era now past the ref did it as an amateur, making calls all on his own and did make mistakes but rightly so, was protected from criticism. Move to today's ref system, we have a squad of professionals refs (it's there job) earning approx $150000 or more, they have a coaching staff of 4. A difficult job yes but it is their job.
Like the professional players and coaches they are part of the game and so subject to criticism and in my view the refs also should be. Those refs should also have to sit at a press conference and answer questions as part of their professional role.
It is fine for the punters to critique the actions of the coaches like Flanagan but to fine these blokes $20k for it is a joke.
Now I'm not a supporter of any teams in the finals, but hate seeing bad decisions ruin a good game.
My other gripe is the the laying in the tackle, the twisting of a player in the tackle so he faces the wrong way when he gets up, the giving away a penalty when defending their line all designed to slow the play to enable the defence to be set. Also the other one was the storm player wasting time in the end of game .
