NRL 2024: Time for blundering match officials to take responsibility for actions | Bulldog’s Bite

An Australian actor and television personality has taken to X to rub salt in the wounds for the Melbourne Storm after their round 10 loss to the Sharks. DEAN RITCHIE writes that and more in Bulldog’s Bite.

Bulldog's Bite: NRL refs need to start fronting the media.

Stuff up and you front up. No more hiding.

It’s time for blundering match officials – either referees or bunker review officials – to take public responsibility for their decisions by fronting the media every Monday.

For far too long they have stumbled, bumbled and then hidden behind NRL head of football elite competitions Graham Annesley, who fronts a demanding media each week to clean up the mess.

The NRL should tell match officials to emerge from the darkness and explain how and why a decision was reached.

They are public figures with top-tier match officials earning more than $300,000 a year, including bonuses, and should therefore be scrutinised by the media like everyone else in rugby league.

Bunker officials sit in their hi-tech Redfern studios far away from any interrogation.

Graham Annesley is taking the brunt of referee mistakes. Picture: NRL Imagery

Most of the time we don’t even know who they are other than hearing an anonymous voice which pipes through the television broadcast.

Maybe, just maybe, some match officials would actually like to explain their decisions publicly but are unable due to an NRL gag order.

The NRL protects match officials like they’re royalty. Where are we as a game without transparency?

All should be available to take questions on a Monday.

Coaches front-up every week to answer difficult questions about their team’s lack of success or their individual future.

Players stand in front of TV cameras each week ready to answer an explosive question.

Those interviews can be challenging but it’s about showing leadership.

Referee Kasey Badger drops some stern words on John Bateman. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

If you want a high-pressure job, like being a match official, then times can become tough.

Poor Annesley should be allowed to share the load. At the very least chuck Jared Maxwell, the NRL general manager of elite officiating, in front of the media.

Match officials face consequences for poor decisions but mostly we’re told they are being “rested” rather than dropped.

Are we really supposed to believe that? Why aren’t we told whether they’ve been dumped or

not? Again, protected species.

I’m not trying to humiliate match officials publicly but they must be open to examination like all NRL stakeholders.

Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant was controversially sent to the sin bin by referee Grant Atkins over the weekend. Picture: NRL Images

Here they are - the invincible decision-makers. Gerard Sutton, Peter Gough, Kasey Badger, Grant Atkins, Ashley Klein, Adam Gee, Liam Kennedy, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Belinda Sharpe, Wyatt Raymond, Chris Butler and Todd Smith.

They are making tough decisions under excruciating pressure. It can be a thankless task but that shouldn’t preclude them from owning their errors.

There’s nothing wrong with acknowledgment and admission if you stuff up.

I look forward to being front and centre for the first open media session where match officials clarify their decisions.

No-one is above public probing.

And no-one in vital positions inside the NRL should be above public examination.

DOGS TREATS

How satisfying were those boos from the @storm fans at full time?

Grubby, cheating, whinge of a team, the lingering stink of the Bellamy era…@cronullasharks just warming up this season… too easy tonight!#UpUp#NRLStormSharks

— Daniel MacPherson (@DanMacPherson) May 11, 2024

Australian actor and television presenter Daniel MacPherson clearly isn’t a fan of the Storm.

After Cronulla’s strong win over Melbourne on Saturday night, MacPherson told his 82,000 X followers: “How satisfying were those boos from the Storm fans at full-time? Grubby, cheating, whinge of a team, the lingering stink of the (Craig) Bellamy era.

“Cronulla just warming up this season…too easy tonight. #UpUp.”

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The street corner tip suggests two western Sydney clubs may travel to Las Vegas next season.

While Penrith is certain to play in America next season, the NRL is still considering another seven sides with Parramatta well and truly in contention.

That could mean up to 25,000 rugby league fans from Sydney’s golden west converge on Nevada next year.

The Warriors are also among the favourites. Strangely, there may not be a Queensland side in the US-bound quartet. A final decision is another month away.

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Brad Schneider will miss a month of footy after this tackle

Canterbury Bulldogs backrower Kitione Kautoga has been charged with grade three dangerous contact from a NSW Cup match against Penrith last Friday.

Kautoga made direct contact with the legs of Panthers halfback Brad Schneider, who was kicking in general play.

It was a shocker.

Schneider sustained a knee injury and will miss three to four games, at a time when Penrith has lost first-string halfback Nathan Cleary through a hamstring problem.

Kautoga is facing a three match suspension with an early plea or four match ban if he contests the charge unsuccessfully at a judiciary hearing.

He got off lightly.

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Imagine selling around 30,000 beers at the footy?

The Beer Footy Food festival – the NSWRL’s version of Magic Round - will be held at iconic North Sydney Oval this Saturday and Sunday.

Three NSW Cup games will be played on both days.

There will be 20 craft beers available along with ten food trucks. Organisers predict around 30,000 beers will be drunk by thirsty patrons over the two days – all sold responsibly, of course.

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James Tedesco spotted doing an Origin promo shoot.

Has James Tedesco already locked down his place in the NSW side?

Tedesco was spotted filming a promo at Accor Stadium last week decked out in his full Blues kit.

Players aren’t usually asked to perform such duties if they haven’t been given a guarantee of selection.

Daly Cherry-Evans performed the same role as Tedesco while wearing his Queensland clobber.

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FORMER Panthers, Bulldogs and Eels enforcer Frank Pritchard has been named head coach of the NSWRL City under 16s team. Pritchard is also director of coaching at Cabramatta Junior Rugby League Club.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Time for blundering match officials to take responsibility for actions | Bulldog’s Bite