Milestone man: League ref ready to blow whistle on game 400

Milestone man: Serious disease, multiple muscle and tendon injuries and a broken leg have failed to dull Michael Inman’s passion for rugby league. We spoke to the dedicated referee about his journey to game 400 this Saturday.

At the Toowoomba Rugby League gala presentation night 2022 are (from left) Amanda Wenzel, Michael Inman and Haydan Lipp. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A burger and a can of coke was all it took for Michael Inman to pick up a whistle and become a rugby league referee.

Smaller than most of the players running at him, Inman took charge of his first game an under-10 clash between Burdekin and Proserpine when he was 13.

“I’m probably still waiting for the growth spurt that never happened when I was a kid,” Inman said.

“I was a fair bit smaller than a lot of the players I was up against which made playing pretty tough.

“I remember being approached by some of the refs and they asked me if I was interested.

“They said I’d get paid a burger and a can of coke and I thought ‘you beauty, let’s do it’.”

This weekend Inman will officiate his 400th game when he takes charge of the Toowoomba Rugby League fixture between Dalby and Pittsworth.

It’s a remarkable feat considering he would have to be considered one of the game’s unluckiest men.

As well as multiple muscle and tendon injuries, Inman has battled through a number of serious medical conditions.

Inman has battled appendicitis and diverticulitis – an extremely painful inflammation of the intestines.

Referee Michael Inman (background) keeps track of the play during the 2023 TRL Cultural Cup. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Michael Inman (front) was part of a 2010 Cairns District Rugby League which helped increase the number of officials including (from left) Kerrod Lesina, Rob Dalziel, Steve McCullaugh and Alestair Parmenter

Just days before his 2003 Queensland Cup debut he shattered tibia in a freak frisbee accident and in 2005 he battled leptospirosis with doctors believing he caught the disease after a rat urinated near his water bottle.

He has taken it all in his stride though and his looking forward to Saturday’s milestone game.

“They’re two quality teams, very disciplined outfits,” Inman said.

“I think Dalby are going to be right up there at the end of the season and Pittsworth are a team on the up at the moment.”

From juniors through to invitational games between Australia and Papua New Guinea Inman has coached at every level of the game right across Queensland.

He was watched league and rugby union legends like David Taylor, Greg Inglis and Berrick Barnes take their first steps as schoolboy and Queensland Cup stars.

He has also officiated some blockbuster matches.

Some of his best memories however are linked to his work with other referees.

Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt (right) congratulates 2009 Cairns District Rugby League referee of the year Michael Inman.

“I really enjoy working with other referees and learning from them as well,” Inman said.

“Being able to mentor and help young referees is very rewarding.

“Learning from other referees is also rewarding.

“I’m still in regular contact with some of the people who mentored and helped me – anything you can do to improve yourself is good.”

Inman also has some simple advice for young referees.

“You have to understand and accept no one is perfect,” he said.

“Players makes mistakes and so do referees – all you can do is try your best and do whatever you can to improve.

“If you’re not sure about something – ask a question, seek advice and help.

“Communication is key – keep it simple and clear.

“And remember you have a job to do.

“You can’t be everyone’s friend, when you’re out there you have a job to do and that’s make decisions.

“Call the game, make your decisions and move on.”