Sydney Roosters the most penalised NRL team under coach Trent Robinson

An analysis of penalty counts over the last eight seasons shows the Roosters have consistently been by far the most heavily punished team by referees, despite winning three titles.

Roosters skipper James Tedesco. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

These are the statistics that reveal a startling refereeing penalty imbalance against the Sydney Roosters since Trent Robinson started as head coach in 2013.

An analysis of penalty counts over the last eight seasons shows the Roosters have consistently been by far the most heavily punished team by referees, despite winning three titles.

In 227 games under Robinson, the Roosters have won the penalty count in only 29 per cent of those matches and they have a penalty count differential of -243 since Robinson started, which is more than double the next worst team, the Wests Tigers (-105).

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St George Illawarra (152), South Sydney (150) and North Queensland (120) have all enjoyed a massive advantage in their penalty count differential over the same period.

The Sydney Roosters’ 300-game legend Luke Ricketson has slammed the treatment of his former club, suggesting there is a “subconscious bias” against his old team.

Roosters skipper James Tedesco pleads with referee Ashley Klein. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“It’s really frustrating and we need to be asking questions,” Ricketson said. “I’m questioning whether we’re a team they’d want to make an example of.

“Maybe they think if we’re hard on the Roosters we’ll get our point across.

“You know what I mean … go heavy on the Roosters because they can handle it. They’ve got money. They’ve got big-hitters on the board.

“It’s un-Australian to whinge and carry on like spoiled brats but these statistics don’t lie. I get really angry watching it.”

Roosters supremo Nick Politis was reluctant to comment but The Daily Telegraph understands he has spoken to NRL bosses Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo in recent weeks about his concerns.

Their record at the judiciary this year is equally as lopsided compared to their 15 rival clubs.

“I’ll just say this,” Politis said. “We’re not a dirty team and we don’t go out to cheat or break the rules. We play tough but we play with integrity and don’t lie down to get penalties.”

Team	Games	Won	Equal	Lost	Difference
St George Illawarra	211	116	26	69	152
South Sydney	223	120	20	83	150
North Queensland	222	118	25	79	120
Newcastle	212	108	30	74	65
Cronulla	221	109	25	87	55
Penrith	219	103	32	84	44
Canberra	217	101	33	83	40
Melbourne	228	106	26	96	26
Brisbane	219	88	29	102	-18
Warriors	209	87	26	96	-26
Gold Coast Titans	209	84	28	97	-40
Parramatta	214	79	27	108	-53
Manly	217	76	33	108	-73
Canterbury	216	78	27	111	-94
Wests Tigers	208	76	26	106	-105
Sydney Roosters	227	67	27	133	-243

The Roosters have employed a former referee, Chris James, as their head of football.

Plus Robinson speaks to the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley and referees boss Jarred Maxwell regularly.

Annesley was unconcerned by the trend when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

“In any statistical analysis like this there will always be a team at the top and a team at the bottom with every other club falling somewhere in between,” Annesley said.

“If this story wasn’t about the Roosters it would be about some other club at the bottom of the stats.

“The numbers are what they are. Referees can only rule on what happens on the field. They don’t commit the offences, they simply respond to them when they occur.

“Any suggestion that there has been some sort of sustained agenda against any club over such a long period of time across multiple administrations, multiple referees coaches, and a constant rotation of referees in and out of the NRL, is simply false.

Victor Radley gets his marching orders by referee Peter Gough in round 11. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“Referees perform an essential service without which our game does not exist. They carry out their thankless task to the best of their ability every week, every year, without fear or favour.”

Ricketson, who is a director at the Roosters, says he is speaking up for the fans, members and sponsors. And to protect Robinson.

“I’m honestly confused,” he said. “We have the smartest coach in the game. He’s a rugby league purist. He’s educating the players all the time. Someone has to speak on his behalf.

“Sure, there was an issue with Victor (Radley), but they’ve worked hard to fix it.

“We’re not perfect but there’s so many 50/50 calls that they adjudicate on the run under the new rules that completely go against us.

“Robbo accepts when the team doesn’t play well but I can see the frustration in his eyes when he has to sit there at his press conferences.

Roosters legend Luke Ricketson (right) has hit out the Roosters’ treatment by the referees. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“He’s had so many conversations with the NRL but hasn’t been able to get through.”

What the Roosters have had success with is challenging judiciary charges.

While most of their NRL rivals accept their fate from the match review committee, the Roosters don’t.

They contest almost 40 per cent of their charges and have more than 20 per cent overturned. No other club has a success record higher than 10 per cent.

Since 2019, the Roosters have faced 42 charges, third most behind Brisbane (49) and Canterbury (43). Of those, they challenged 16 of them. Seven were found guilty at the panel, eight were deemed not guilty and one offence was downgraded.

Canberra (22), Newcastle (24) and Manly (30) have faced the fewest charges.

Originally published as Sydney Roosters the most penalised NRL team under coach Trent Robinson