2026 NRL General Discussion Thread

On the topic of refereeing @Sproj for some reason I have seen more and more blowups from afl people/pundits about afl umpires this year on my timeline. Rarely saw that prwviously to this degree.

I dont think its a coincidence that there has been more of it after they have introduced new rule after rule and new interpretation. Same with the NRL. Maybe there is a a lesson in all of it. Stop putting more and more things on these guys plates. Its hard enough without making them have to look for more shit.
 
JayPee said:
On the topic of refereeing @Sproj for some reason I have seen more and more blowups from afl people/pundits about afl umpires this year on my timeline. Rarely saw that prwviously to this degree.

I dont think its a coincidence that there has been more of it after they have introduced new rule after rule and new interpretation. Same with the NRL. Maybe there is a a lesson in all of it. Stop putting more and more things on these guys plates. Its hard enough without making them have to look for more shit.
Click to expand...

Hey we completely agree on this. Basically, the current AFL administration has only been in place for two years and have blown up what didn't need fixing - sounds familiar doesn't it.

The AFL's problem is that in this time, they have gone from being really proactive and professional in everything they do to being reactive and responding to things based on St Kilda complaining.

They had a national draft that was finally working really well to make the comp more even nationally but then Eddie Maguire (AFL's Phil Gould) complained so the AFL reacted. St Kilda (Faux panel) got outraged at Eddie's outrage and then the AFL blew it all up to the point where the thing that has been working has now been completely torn down and the northern academies are now completely pointless.

But I digressed way too much there, the point being, yes the AFL's management is doing the same things the NRL is doing and it is making it a worse product, just not as bad yet as the NRL, in my opinion.
 
JayPee said:
I dont know. I think they actually have a decent record when it comes to gambling issues and punishments if we isolate them. Its a very hard thing to catch. It is a slippery slope. Do you then have to ban players from gambling? They can influence results too.

This whole incompetent thing again is coming from fans with biases. It is wholely opinion and subjective. Just like it is their opinion that he has been the best referee in the game and imo he actually was at times. The last few years he has slipped in my ranking order.

What referee is actually liked? It is heavily swayed by what decisions your team gets. Thankless game. Maybe I just am less critical because I refereed for years and know how hard it is when you are actually in the middle. I quit because of abuse and I was refding kids. It is easy from the couch to judge decisions. Im much more critical of guys that imo get it wrong in that box.

I think it is more hard to referee these days too and their is more scrutiny. The game doesnt help them.

But I get your point on the look of it to a certain extent. I actually think if I was running the game I don't know how I am able to send him out there on Wednesday. This coming up now must have his mind scrambled. For his own mental health it might be better for him to take a break. Can't be easy all of it coming up right before one of the biggest games to referee of the year. No matter what.you think of him. Its probably better to have a clear mind. Maybe he doesnt care. I doubt it though.
Click to expand...

Well said and while I obviously don't completely agree, I do definitely see your points. And I'm sorry you were abused as a ref, that is disappointing to hear. And as much as I bag the refs out, especially in the heat of the moment, as I've long said, I can forgive an on field decision being wrong. The bunker on the other hand is what should be looked into for gambling accounts, etc because some of their decisions are absolutely ridiculous and they shouldn't be.
 
I have noticed that in our tipping comp more people have tipped ST George to win tonight than Newcastle.
Do people know something I don't or is Klein the referee and has bet on St George to win?
 
The Strapper said:
I have noticed that in our tipping comp more people have tipped ST George to win tonight than Newcastle.
Do people know something I don't or is Klein the referee and has bet on St George to win?
Click to expand...
Life-saver.

Get your tips in BHQ!!
 
The Strapper said:
I have noticed that in our tipping comp more people have tipped ST George to win tonight than Newcastle.
Do people know something I don't or is Klein the referee and has bet on St George to win?
Click to expand...

Disappointed King Of The Hill GIF


Disappointed World Cup GIF by Goldmaster


"Ohhh, look at me. I'm being fair and making people aware that they haven't put their tips in yet..."
 
Harry Sack said:
Disappointed King Of The Hill GIF


Disappointed World Cup GIF by Goldmaster


"Ohhh, look at me. I'm being fair and making people aware that they haven't put their tips in yet..."
Click to expand...
Eh, it’s not that. At this stage if you are down the bottom you have to try for a few upsets, that’s all.
 
Todd Payten has signed a two year extension at the Cowboys. the deal until the end of 2028, will make him the longest serving Cowboys coach

@JayPee how do you and Cowboys fans in general (if you know) feel about this move
 
Foordy said:
Todd Payten has signed a two year extension at the Cowboys. the deal until the end of 2028, will make him the longest serving Cowboys coach

@JayPee how do you and Cowboys fans in general (if you know) feel about this move
Click to expand...
I reckon it is probably split. 2 years isnt exactly a ringing endorsement but shit will hit the fan if they fall off which is on the cards. Draw gets tougher. Nearly healthy now though which is half the battle.
 
Foordy said:
Todd Payten has signed a two year extension at the Cowboys. the deal until the end of 2028, will make him the longest serving Cowboys coach

@JayPee how do you and Cowboys fans in general (if you know) feel about this move
Click to expand...
Huge risk of this one backfiring ... Payten was on the chopping block to start the year, but they've put up a just over 50% winning record and they've extended him.

Cows could easily flip that form line and suddenly they're asking questions of the coach again.

I reckon the board would've wanted to wait out the year, but they went on a bit of a run of wins and they figured their hand was forced... I'm not sure other teams were lining up to steal Payten away, so I don't think there was a reason to rush any decisions
 
BroncsFan said:
Huge risk of this one backfiring ... Payten was on the chopping block to start the year, but they've put up a just over 50% winning record and they've extended him.

Cows could easily flip that form line and suddenly they're asking questions of the coach again.

I reckon the board would've wanted to wait out the year, but they went on a bit of a run of wins and they figured their hand was forced... I'm not sure other teams were lining up to steal Payten away, so I don't think there was a reason to rush any decisions
Click to expand...
Probably had to make a decision from a recruitment angle too. Would have been hard to sign/keep players without certainty on who the coach would be.
 
Fernando said:
Another round completed where 6 agains seemed to have dropped off a cliff.
Click to expand...

But they have been able to mitigate the effect this has on game management. I watched a fair bit of footy this weekend and I really noticed how the refs handled the "10" metre defensive line over the weekend. Especially on the 4th - whichever team was behind, when they had the ball, the defence was held a lot further back to give them momentum to either put on an attacking play, or to give them breathing room for a clearing or attacking kick. It wasn't as dramatic as a late-count 6-again, but if definitely helped get the losing team field position and momentum.
 
Kepaoa has been suspended for six matches for using a homophobic slur in a NSW Cup game against the Dragons.

Disappointing, especially from a player who is struggling to crack it despite being signed by four different clubs.
 
The NRL claim 2026 hasn't seen a higher number of injuries than previous years.

However, reports today have stated that the NRL’s 2026 injury crisis has claimed 1153 games across 17 rounds, with 10 of the competition’s 20 highest-paid stars sidelined at a cost of nearly $12 million.
 
JayPee said:
I reckon it is probably split. 2 years isnt exactly a ringing endorsement but shit will hit the fan if they fall off which is on the cards. Draw gets tougher. Nearly healthy now though which is half the battle.
Click to expand...

Who are they going to replace him with ?
That is an issue for several clubs . Not sucessful , but who could do it better ?
 
New Posts

Unread

Back
Top