Raiders referee debacle: Gerard Sutton safe, touch judge and pocket ref axed
THE NRL has left itself open to more claims of nepotism by sacking two officials from the Canberra Raiders-Cronulla Sharks refereeing debacle but retaining Gerard Sutton in first grade.
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THE NRL has left itself open to more claims of nepotism by sacking two officials from the Canberra Raiders-Cronulla Sharks refereeing debacle but retaining Gerard Sutton in first grade.
Sutton, the brother of referees boss Bernie Sutton, has had a slight demotion to handle the New Zealand v Gold Coast game despite the fact he ignored a touch judge’s flag and refused to stop the game.
The Sharks scored a match-deciding try from his error.
NRL officials have sacked touch judge Ricky McFarlane for putting his flag up and then down, causing the Canberra players to stop and leave Sharks winger Sione Katoa with a clear run for a try.
He’s been banished all the way to Cessnock for a reserve grade match between Newcastle and Wentworthville.
Pocket referee Gavin Reynolds has also been dumped to the Intrust Super Premiership for incorrectly calling a forward pass from Raiders centre Joey Leilua that cost Canberra a try in the corner.
Bunker official Luke Patten has retained his position for this weekend’s round.
The NRL’s Head of Football Brian Canavan defended the decision to keep Sutton in first grade.
“Gerard Sutton is one of our best referees and it makes sense to keep using him in the top grade,” he said.
“He has just come out of a highly successful State of Origin series and overall his form has been strong this season.
“The members of the selection committee have made the appointments for this weekend acknowledging the need for accountability while also ensuring our best officials are involved in the premiership this weekend.
“All of our officials are determined to work hard and perform well this weekend.”
The Daily Telegraph understands the appointments had to be approved by NRL CEO Todd Greenberg before they were released to the media two hours later than normal yesterday.
There were unconfirmed reports of unrest within the refereeing ranks over Sutton’s perceived favourable treatment in retaining his first grade spot while other got demoted.
At the very least it had been anticipated he would be relegated to a pocket referee.
Another Bernie Sutton favourite, Ashley Klein, will handle the match of the round between the Roosters and the Dragons on Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium.
Matt Cecchin will handle the Wests Tigers match against the Bulldogs on Friday night.
Cecchin is clearly the fans’ favourite referee judging by a Daily Telegraph online poll.
Last year’s grand final referee got a staggering 56 per cent of the vote. Gavin Badger was second with 16 per cent.
Sutton got only three per cent and Klein, who is now regarded as the game’s No.1 referee, just one per cent.
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