Shane Flanagan defended NRL players who approach referees after referee boss Greg McCallum labels it ‘harassment’

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has played down concerns over NRL players approaching match officials during games following claims from a senior refereeing official that the behaviour is “harassment”.

A senior refereeing official who controlled grand finals and State of Origin matches has admitted players are “harassing” match officials in behaviour that could be “dangerous to the retention of referees.”

The comments come as St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan defended NRL players who approach referees, declaring: “They’re just trying to get their point across.”

NRL players have been called out for their on-field behaviour towards match officials with Raiders CEO Don Furner claiming the “arguing and berating” of referees was “totally out of control and a bad look for the game.”

There are now further calls for players to be banned from approaching referees at halftime.

This masthead’s Bulldog’s Bite column this week stated “players were deliberately projecting unwarranted pressure on referees every round by constantly arguing decisions, complaining about interpretations and waving their arms around demanding a penalty. It’s churlish and unnecessary.”

NSWRL Referees Association executive officer Greg McCallum has become the latest to express his concerns about player behaviour towards match officials.

Referee Greg McCallum speaking to players in 1994.

“If the constant harassment of referees continues, and they are allowed to continue to do it, then there is a real danger of it coming down the chain,” said McCallum, who refereed 282 first grade games between 1983 and 1994 along with three grand finals, five State of Origin matches and 14 Tests matches.

“Let’s call it for what it is – it’s harassment. I’m happy to call it harassment because it is harassing.

“Harassment comes in many ways – players crowding (referees), players moving intentionally towards the referee so their voice can be heard through the (ref’s) microphone … that’s harassment. The referee’s not being harassed but the bunker is being harassed.

“Everyone is trying to have a system that works where there is co-operation but when the co-operation ends and the harassment starts, that’s when it has to stop. Spectators see players rush up thinking they will influence what’s going on but you and I know it doesn’t influence.

“(If it continues) and becomes a bigger part of the game than it is now, then it becomes dangerous to the retention of referees. The game can’t operate anywhere, not just NRL, without referees.

“At the end of the day, you can only rely on the person out there that can cope with it, and if they can’t cope with it then they walk away from it.

“Recruitment and retention is always a big issue for us although we have strategies within our referee’s association that counter aggressive behaviour by players towards referees. A lot of it is reactionary, not personal.”

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan defended the behaviour of players approaching referees. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

McCallum’s comments come as Flanagan played down the players’ intimidation of referees. St George Illawarra fullback Clint Gutherson has been identified as a captain constantly in a referee’s face debating decision and interpretations.

“It’s so competitive and high-pressure that they (players) are just trying to do the best thing for their team, coach and club,” Flanagan said.

“Sometimes it might be a bit aggressive and we have to look at it but they are just trying to get their point across. They are the voice of the coach when out on the field.”

Clint Gutherson appealing to the referee. Picture: Fox League

McCallum said all players in junior rugby league were precluded from interacting with referees at halftime.

“Allowing players to talk to referees coming off at halftime isn’t a good look. Let the referees get off the field and players should get off the field but there’s this constant talk,” he said.

“We have a rule in junior footy that the grounds (marshal) goes straight to the referee at halftime and no player or coach is allowed to talk to the referee.”

Asked should that rule be implemented into the NRL, McCallum said: “That’s a decision for them.”

The NSWRL referee’s Association has jurisdiction from NSW Cup down through all juniors and around the entire state.

“One of the concerns we have is the behaviour that’s seen in NRL games get repeated and reflected in young players and lower grades,” McCallum said. “They mimic (NRL players). They don’t really understand what they’re doing or what they’re going to achieve other than the fact they have seen other players do it.

“We have over the years seen incidents take place (in the NRL) on a Friday night and we then see it happen on Saturday. That’s the impact it does have. It is a concern.

“In my era of refereeing, there were some strong players with plenty to say but they were sent straight to the sin bin. If they had something to say, they would be saying it to the wall in the dressing room. That stopped it and the referees had control over it.”

Originally published as Shane Flanagan defended NRL players who approach referees after referee boss Greg McCallum labels it ‘harassment’