Ok....
NRL head of football defends Bunker after hyperbolic criticism.
www.nrl.com
While willing to admit when the Bunker has erred - as he did in saying Henry Perenara made the wrong call not to send off Latrell Mitchell on Friday night - Annesley is tired of exaggerated outrage over officiating.
- well... your definition of the bunker erring is, at times, rather different to the rest of the footy world, which is a problem in itself.
- Most of us are tired of the inconsistent rulings week to week. Just because you think it is exaggerated, doesn't mean it is.
"I'm not talking necessarily about coaches or anyone in particular, but words are bandied around like 'farcical' and 'ridiculous'. It's just not right. It's just so out of whack with what you actually see.
- waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh! Why won't people sit around sipping their Earl Grey and say 'Goodness gracious me, that decision seems a tad awkward'?
"That's the whole purpose of these [weekly media] briefings - it's really to say, 'Yeah, we got some things wrong'.
- It should be that you got them right, and we're wrong but lol at you guys "doing your job correctly".
"And it's also to say, 'Well, maybe people have gone off a bit half-cocked in some cases', and to put some balance back into it."
- Why would that be part of the briefing? To sit there and say nyah nyah nyah.... you guys got things wrong too.
The complex role of video officials encompasses much more than advising the on-field referee about which course of action to take."
"They're also monitoring audio, they're in some cases talking to directors, they're looking at multiple feeds of vision, they're instructing operators to give them multiple feeds," Annesley said.
- Then change the role? Surely there is someone in the bunker, looking at replays and then telling the ref what to do. Then, often, they're screwing it up. Also if they can't handle it, get.. them..the..out.
A week out from the finals, Annesley harbours concerns about players milking penalties in a range of situations.
- Finally, something we all agree on. Now, it's the role of the referees not to fall for it.
Have a great day!