Longing for the day ...

Wot woz that?

Just watched the NRL Friday Night Football match between Melbourne and Penrith and I don't think I've ever seen a more disgraceful display of incorrect officiating at this level. Picky and inconsistent penalties, non-existent knock-ons, blatant ineptitude - nearly all against the visiting team, Melbourne. Steve Clark should be dropped to reserve Grade next week.

Laying aside the video-referee calls, some of which were debatable but none of which I have a real problem with, this game was decided by the referee. The NRL has invested a lot of money in their video officiating systems. I have always argued that this was often a waste because the decisions made by the guy in the middle during the game often make more difference than whether or not the player grounded the ball correctly. Tonight was a classic example.

Except for two, all of Penrith's tries came directly following a shocking call from Steve Clark: two from non-existent knock-ons and two from penalties that were picky, against the attcking teams and inconsistent given that other examples of the same offence later in the game - from both sides - went unpunished.

It's pity, because this was, otherwise, a great game of football. Plenty of skill, determination ... everything that makes the game great from both teams. More will be said about Clark's performance ... it was worthy of a down-grading next week!