Referees deserve praise, not criticism for doing job

IN a week that the referees blew the pea out of their whistles, I applaud them for refereeing to the rules.

Anthony Breeze. Picture: Inga Williams

IN a week that the referees blew the pea out of their whistles, I applaud them for refereeing to the rules.

All NRL clubs were given the directive before the NRL season started that certain rules that had gone by the wayside over previous years would be heavily scrutinised.

Four rounds have passed and the players' discipline and rule breaking has been at an all-time high.

The most common call at a match is "get them on side”. The referees are now doing this and the fans are still not happy.

A simple answer to the ref blowing fewer penalties is don't break the rules and you won't be heavily penalised.

Meanwhile, some NRL teams already fit into the "good, bad and ugly'' category.

The good category features the St George Dragons and the New Zealand Warriors, who are both sitting pretty at the top.

The Broncos and Cowboys are in the bad category with some less then desirable performances.

The ugly category has the Canberra Raiders and my Parramatta Eels with both clubs yet to secure a victory.

It is only early and it is not panic stations for any teams just yet but some clubs will need to get moving shortly.

Golden dreams

ALL eyes are now on the Gold Coast as our athletes strive to share in some Commonwealth Games gold.

While our swimmers are expected to win a majority of our medals don't underestimate the Aussie cyclists, track athletes or team sports.

Ipswich will also be represented with five sports stars - Leah Neale, Jordyn Holzberger, Deb Acason, Alyce Stephenson and Cassie Purdon - about to do our city proud.

Quick thoughts

HERO of the week: It was great to see another local kid making it in the NRL with a fantastic three-try effort by Goodna raised Phillip Sami for the Titans.

Villain of the week: The person/s who decided that the premier of our state couldn't welcome everyone for the Commonwealth Games. Surely you were happy to take the money she gave.

Bomber's best: My run came to a holt with the Cowboys and Storm losing.

This week I like Richmond and Essendon to win their respective games.

Did you know?

Steve Renouf and Darren Smith hold the record for most tries for the Broncos in a season with 23.