I've had growing suspicion about refs-NRL Admin-Gambling sponsor conspiracy for a long time. If you don't want to hear my suspicions that the NRL and gambling sponsors are in bed in fixing games to best take punters money then skip this post.
As I said, I've watched plenty of short stints of games where I see one sided refereeing. The really suspicious ones are when the confirmation bias thing goes out the window and a celler dweller gets 42 repeat sets and every 50/50 call. If I switch on a game and the Tigpies are leading by 20 against Penrith, watching for 10 minutes will probably show the referee in a Tigpies jersey. There's numerous small ways refs can impede a team.
Id really love for a forensic investigation into the flow of money to happen. I think that certain against expectations results where refs had a huge hand might coincide with occasions where say Penrith beating the Tigpies might wipe out 15000 multi bets that'd result in the gambling sponsor either making a big profit or losing a wad of money.
I would never ignore any of your posts because in a BIG MAJORITY of times they are based on common sense and you obviously have good footy knowledge.
Having been a junior league and junior rep referee albeit a long time ago, I know how difficult a job the gig is.
This experience gives me an insight as to when something is wrong.
The thought that there is betting and corruption in the game, is one I would strongly hope doesn’t happen, but unfortunately I believe you are right. Clubs are sponsored by betting agencies, even the naming of stadiums after them.
The one thing a referee can’t do is respond to crowd pressure. He has to rule on what happens in front of him. Players sometimes get in between the ref and the ball and it makes it difficult to get a clear view. That is when he hopes the touchies who are often not good enough to be in the middle,have to help him out.
My pet hate is the home ground special who gives a big penalty count in favour of the home team. Very prevalent when playing in one team cities like Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Townsville and Canberra on their home patch. You could say Dolphins are in Brisbane as well but they play half their games well away from the city.
Like you I get frustrated with the way our boys are continually on the wrong end of decisions. How did you get out of the bottom four when it is just a constant stream of decisions going against us. The Bulldogs was the only game I watched last weekend, and it will probably be the same this weekend.
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