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THE NRL might not agree with Des Hasler's rant about referees last weekend, but penalty trends across the past three seasons provide unqualified support for his provocative remarks.
The NRL's most analytical coach has spent the week poring over videos and statistical records of other matches that feature a big lead as he prepares to appeal a $10,000 breach notice for disparaging comment.
The Bulldogs coach was fined for insinuating his side was unfairly penalised from a conclusion that Newcastle would mount a comeback after trailing 24-0 midway through the first half.
After the whistleblowers talked about the match turning around, the Knights dominated the penalty count and didn't concede another try.
Penalty data from Fox Sports Stats reveals this is nothing new and that Hasler - or any other coach whose team establishes an early advantage - have every right to be suspicious.
The fact is a pattern dating back to 2010 shows losing teams receive far more penalties. And they are three times more likely to receive additional penalties. In almost three seasons since 2010 there's been 420 games that have seen a 12-point lead at some point. On 314 occasions the losing team has won the penalty count from that point onward. That's a remarkable success rate of 74.7 per cent.
And the Bulldogs-Newcastle match wasn't last weekend's lone example.
The Panthers also received a string of second-half penalties and favourable calls after trailing Melbourne 34-0 at the break. Sources tell us Storm coaching staff were equally filthy, despite not making their grievances public.
Other coaches have expressed anger at whistleblowers and video referees discussing penalty counts as opposed to how many infringements have been blown for a particular offence.
While Hasler has schooled himself up on all this, it won't make a difference on appeal as the breach notice only relates to the nature of his comments.
Whether or not they were warranted is irrelevant. And that in itself is disturbing enough.
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THE tag of outright favouritism for this year's Dally M Medal shows why Ben Barba is already a cut above the rest.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs are planning to trade on Barba's booming profile - and surname - with a unique venture at ANZ Stadium later this month. Club officials have been in discussions to launch a "Barba Shop", where fans can have their hair cut to the slick hipster style the star fullback has worn this season.
Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg hopes to have the salon running for the round 26 clash against the Roosters on September 1.
"But if we can't make that, then we'd definitely like to do something for the finals," he said.
**************************************************
WE told you a few weeks back how the Sharks were circling tough Bulldogs utility Joel Romelo who kept the competition leaders ticking in the absence of Kris Keating for the past fortnight.
Canterbury have now responded with a two-year offer for Romelo.
The issue for the Darwin-born product is how much opportunity he can get at Belmore, where Mick Ennis, Josh Reynolds and Keating are all established members of the team's spine. Should John Morris decide to continue his career in England next year, Romelo will make the perfect bench foil for Isaac de Gois at Cronulla.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/confidential-leaders-paying-a-penalty/story-fndujljl-1226447117425
The NRL's most analytical coach has spent the week poring over videos and statistical records of other matches that feature a big lead as he prepares to appeal a $10,000 breach notice for disparaging comment.
The Bulldogs coach was fined for insinuating his side was unfairly penalised from a conclusion that Newcastle would mount a comeback after trailing 24-0 midway through the first half.
After the whistleblowers talked about the match turning around, the Knights dominated the penalty count and didn't concede another try.
Penalty data from Fox Sports Stats reveals this is nothing new and that Hasler - or any other coach whose team establishes an early advantage - have every right to be suspicious.
The fact is a pattern dating back to 2010 shows losing teams receive far more penalties. And they are three times more likely to receive additional penalties. In almost three seasons since 2010 there's been 420 games that have seen a 12-point lead at some point. On 314 occasions the losing team has won the penalty count from that point onward. That's a remarkable success rate of 74.7 per cent.
And the Bulldogs-Newcastle match wasn't last weekend's lone example.
The Panthers also received a string of second-half penalties and favourable calls after trailing Melbourne 34-0 at the break. Sources tell us Storm coaching staff were equally filthy, despite not making their grievances public.
Other coaches have expressed anger at whistleblowers and video referees discussing penalty counts as opposed to how many infringements have been blown for a particular offence.
While Hasler has schooled himself up on all this, it won't make a difference on appeal as the breach notice only relates to the nature of his comments.
Whether or not they were warranted is irrelevant. And that in itself is disturbing enough.
*************************
THE tag of outright favouritism for this year's Dally M Medal shows why Ben Barba is already a cut above the rest.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs are planning to trade on Barba's booming profile - and surname - with a unique venture at ANZ Stadium later this month. Club officials have been in discussions to launch a "Barba Shop", where fans can have their hair cut to the slick hipster style the star fullback has worn this season.
Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg hopes to have the salon running for the round 26 clash against the Roosters on September 1.
"But if we can't make that, then we'd definitely like to do something for the finals," he said.
**************************************************
WE told you a few weeks back how the Sharks were circling tough Bulldogs utility Joel Romelo who kept the competition leaders ticking in the absence of Kris Keating for the past fortnight.
Canterbury have now responded with a two-year offer for Romelo.
The issue for the Darwin-born product is how much opportunity he can get at Belmore, where Mick Ennis, Josh Reynolds and Keating are all established members of the team's spine. Should John Morris decide to continue his career in England next year, Romelo will make the perfect bench foil for Isaac de Gois at Cronulla.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/confidential-leaders-paying-a-penalty/story-fndujljl-1226447117425
