Stil seems the result was encouraged just as it was last year. You don't have to have a full blown conscious conspiracy to bias an outcome. You set interpretations of rules that favour one side, send a message about how good it would be for the game for the Sharks to win down the ranks, pick a lead ref who they haven't lost under in 2 years. If Broncos had a ref with that record ref a grand final it would not be taken in stride, Gus Gould would be complaining for half the game. People correctly or incorrectly and often unconsciously can be very good at reading between the lines to get the result the bosses and media want. I thought referees were way too loose on both sides. A short ten favours the Sharks big men in the long run. Also thought Sharks got away with murder in the ruck. At least when the Storm manipulate the ruck they are artful, the Sharks just lied there, crowded the ruck and put their hand all over the ball. At the end of the day we all knew who was going to win and it wasn't because Sharks have been the best team all year. Would love to see an independent review of officiating across the board. If NRL were smart would do it and sort their issues our before a massive class action or corruption enquiry given the exposure in sports betting.
