I am usually defending referees in games suggesting that they try their best to be impartial during matches. But I have to say, especially in the second half that the bearded ref in the Manly-Souths match acted in a manner that I thought was aimed at trying to get Souths back into the match. I am not suggesting that he consciously sought to favour Souths (though that may have been the case) but most of his 50-50 decisions clearly supported Souths.
Take the example of the two questionable tries. It was his decision that decided the Souths try was legit, despite a very unclear aspect, and his that decided Manly's try was not, despite it being more likely to have been scored. Both were decided on his assessment. Then there were several stripping offences. Many were questionable at best for both sides, yet he determined Manly consistently striped the ball but Souths generally didn't. Little wonder DCE became confused with his remarks which were heard. Some were blatant 'mistakes' on his part and at one stage he was penalising Manly, the team leading, at 6-1.
I had no issue with the other ref who seemed to handle the game much more impartially. But the bearded gentlemen began to remind me of Qld's Gomersall. I know Manly wont complain, but I've watched a lot of football in the past 50 years and that fellow was distinctly biased, whether intentionally or not.
