Local legend Ron “Rocky” Davis referees his 1000th match at the age of 67

AT the age of 67, Ron “Rocky” Davis carved out his own slice of history over the weekend when he refereed his 1000th rugby league match.

Ron Rocky Davis is refereeing in the Port Sharks v Taree City Bulls match this Sunday — his 1000th match. MUST CREDIT: NashysPix

MEET rugby league’s greatest survivor — Ron “Rocky” Davis.

He’s 67 years of age, played 248 games and refereed for the last 30 years.

On Sunday, Rocky handled the reserve grade game between the Port Macquarie Sharks & Taree City Bulls in Port Macquarie.

It was his 1000th game as a referee. Correct. One thousand games.

League historian David Middleton cannot recall a referee who has done anywhere near that many games.

Ron Davis might be the most experience referee in rugby league history. Picture from NashysPix.

To put it into perspective, the game’s best ever referee Bill Harrigan did 392 games.

Rocky has seen it all. He was once punched in the head by a player in Manly juniors.

The player got life but Rocky kept going.

“I just love it,” he told me on Sunday. “I can still keep up with them and I still enjoy it. With a bit of luck I’ll keep going until I’m 70.

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“I only took it up to put something back into the game.”

Rocky referees two games each weekend. He’s on $120 a game but would do it for nothing.

He says the standard of NRL is okay but can’t believe the amount of incorrect calls on forward passes.

Davis wants to referee until he’s 70. Picture from NashysPix.

“I get annoyed sometimes and wonder why they can’t get it right more often.”

To honour Rocky’s achievement, Origin refs Matt Cecchin and Gerard Sutton sent him a video message of congratulations before Sunday’s game.

The NRL’s Head of Football Brian Canavan said it was an extraordinary milestone.

“Referees are an integral part of the game at all levels,” Canavan said. “It reflects not only his love for the game but his passion for officiating. This shows that refereeing can be a lifelong passion and clearly a worthwhile one.”