Monday Buzz: Tony Archer’s Bill Harrigan snub leads the weekend’s highlights and lowlights
THE poisonous culture within the NRL refereeing ranks under the leadership of Tony Archer has been exposed yet again after he inexplicably scrapped an award named in the honour of the game’s greatest whistleblower.
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THE poisonous culture within the NRL refereeing ranks under the leadership of Tony Archer has been exposed yet again.
This time it’s over the scrapping of a prestigious award in honour of Bill Harrigan, the most decorated referee of all time.
Archer has instead named a new award after little known colleague Russell Smith, the former English referee who did just 30 NRL games.
Harrigan handled 393 matches, an all-time record, 10 grand finals, 21 Origins and 25 Test matches.
In Archer’s first year in the job back in 2013, Harrigan’s award was quietly scrapped.
Harrigan didn’t complain but has now blown up over Archer’s recent decision to replace it with the Russell Smith award.
He is so fired up he will be complaining to the NRL’s new Head of Football Graham Annesley when he starts in two weeks.
“It’s unbelievable,” Harrigan said, “I’ll be telling Graham Annesley this is bullshit.
“Smith did 30 games and couldn’t cut the mustard. That’s why I’m dirty.
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“If they’d named it after Tim Mander, Steve Clarke, Mick Stone or Annesley I wouldn’t be blowing up because they were great referees over a long period of time. But Russell Smith, please.”
Annesley faces a huge task to clean up the refereeing ranks and the toxic culture.
There’s talk Archer might not survive. And nor should he. The department needs a massive shake-up.
NO DOG DAYS FOR MANLY
Even the NRL draw is favouring Des Hasler when he signs with the Sea Eagles.
As it currently stands, Hasler will go through 2019 without facing the wrath of the Bulldogs fans who were so eager to see the back of him.
A source who has seen the NRL draw says Manly will play the Bulldogs only once, in round eight at Brookvale Oval.
It means Hasler will have the safety of the Sea Eagles fans supporting him, rather than taking on supporters in the Kennel at their own home ground. Dessie couldn’t have scripted it better.
NOT AGAINST THE ODDS
It has been 10 years since a team has opened as short as the Sydney Roosters ($4.50) to win the 2019 NRL premiership win with the TAB. The Manly Sea Eagles were the same quote back in 2009 after they thumped Melbourne 40-0 the year before in the decider.
The Roosters are favourites at $4.50 and easily the best backed in early betting. One punter put $3500 at $4.50 on the Roosters the day after the GF. Another team well backed is Penrith at $11.
Boom Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga is an $8 favourite to win the Dally M medal.
HIGHLIGHT
The wonderful atmosphere in Auckland for the Kangaroos-Tonga Test match on a night that will long be remembered as a landmark moment for the international game.
LOWLIGHT
The Kiwi commentators at the Auckland Test matches over the last fortnight. I so miss Blocker and Brandy, Speed and Voss.
DOGS BARKING
The Bulldogs’ Mad Monday scandal has had absolutely no effect on their fans and early membership sales. As of last week Canterbury’s membership numbers were actually up by 15 per cent compared the same time last year.
HIGHLIGHT II
You’ve got to a admire the loyalty of Storm’s highly regarded general manager of football Frank Ponissi who was offered a stack more money than he is getting paid in Melbourne to join the Parramatta Eels but declined the offer.
SPOTTED
A horse called Hayne Plane winning at Wagga Wagga races on Saturday at the juicy odds of $46.
SPOTTED
Former Parramatta Eels, Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor coaching an Under 9’s team at the Tommy Bishop Shield.
SPOTTED
NRL player managers Steve Gillis and David Riolo at the Oz Tag Nationals in Coffs Harbour over the weekend.
SPOTTED
Roosters hooker Jake Friend kicking the footy around on Coogee Beach with a group of young fans.
SHOOSH
Which high profile Melbourne Storm forward is being shopped around to rival NRL clubs?
TIGERS’ STAND
The Wests Tigers may have sounded out Kiwi Test coach Michael Maguire for 2019 but their board will not release Ivan Cleary to the Penrith Panthers for anything less than $500,000 in compensation.
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