Are refs really the issue?

[Great White Shark]

Be honest sharkies. Are the refs really the problem?
How can a team that has lost 7 straight, leading the NRL in mistackles (41 last night), coming last in completion (49% until last night which was better), coming last in line breaks (3.4 per game), last in tries (2.2) per game etc complain about refs. Are they the one's tackling for us, are they the one's dropping the ball? have they trained with the players and taught them how to attack? do the refs choose our team (and start with Hughes again who clearly is not a first grader)?
IMO, Ricky should just get on with it. It annoys me to see him talk down the refs when his team is not competitive, when the recruiting has clearly let us down. Calls go in your favour and calls go against you. After 8 rounds though, stats tell the tale. We are just not up to first grade...and sorry to say but some of our players have a commitment issue (41 mistackles!!!).

 

[ROB SHARK]

No the refs aren't the issue, its the players issue's they have to step up and try alot harder especially in defence last night we missed some terrible tackles and just lets Souths stroll trough our defence.
I dont think recruitment has let us down Tupou has been our best all year, Barrett has been solid all year, Hughes played his best game all year last night.
The problem is we need fast backs who can finish off tries as we had several oppurtunities to score last night but nobody had enough speed to finish the try off. That is wear some recruiting has let us down.

 

[Sixgill]

Refs are not the issue.

Completion, pressure, strong and consistent defence, ball and player movements like we saw more-than-glimpses-of last night against Bunnies.

However, I do think Ricky has a point about two inexperienced refs being used together. One experienced one controlling the game with an inexperienced one monitoring other elements would work better and give the 'newer' refs greater experience for when they need to take over.

 

[sandman77]

all common sence replys I will just agree with you all

 

[Doctors_Advocate]

The refs have a little to do with it.. but mainly its **** defence.. we went from being the best defensive team to the worst!! Gus was right to say that Ricky needs help..

 

[Henchmann]

I have to disagree people, the ref’s are clearly useless, every week I watch all teams play and the refereeing is always inconsistent. Let’s not forget the pathetic calls of Mohammed the linesman, against Bulldogs and Cowboys.

One fact cannot be understated, Ref’s cost teams games, happens every week to every team, some more than others. They are deciding matches, and they should be held accountable for thier stuff ups.

Also, in relation to another thread, Bill Harrigan is by far a bigger tosser than Phil Gould.

 

[ROB SHARK]

Mohammed only makes calls so he can get his face on television, the commentators always say that about him.

 

[teflon77]

You can never fully blame the refs for poor performances but we seem to be on the wrong end of some dubious ****ing refereeing this year. And for all those who think it doesnt matter think again. Nothing takes the wind out of your sails then poor decisions going against you, especially several in a row. (Look no further than the cowboys game) And there is the physical aspect of having to defend repeated sets.

 

[hitman124]

I noticed dougy last night really pushing it with holding up the play the balls, and it seemed buster was the only one getting penalised.

Yes the two refs has screwed us, to what extent exactly Im not sure, but I think our main problem is-

Last yr- Bird, Isaac, Noddy, Nutley, Rossy, Kearney, Peeky,

They are either GREAT players, or very handy players.

This yr- they are alllll gone.

 

[RisingUp]

I think our main problem is-
Last yr- Bird, Isaac, Noddy, Nutley, Rossy, Kearney, Peeky,
They are either GREAT players, or very handy players.
This yr- they are alllll gone.

Spot on. We were like tortoises last year, now we're slower than slugs. Hats off to Gall, Tupou and Douglas but a few others around them wouldn't get a run in park footy.

I think Ricky recruits forwards who are cheap, and looking for an NRL lifeline, like Donnelly and Norrie. But when you're struggling, they don't have the skills to make a difference. Ricky asks for things they just aren't able to produce, which makes for very boring and embarrassing football.

 

[ROB SHARK]

Donnelly shouldnt even be in the team, that is a joke to any forward trying to get a first grade spot in the sharks team.
Donnelly is one of the worst signings we ever made, when hes on theres no impact from him and he doesnt even know where to run.

 

[bort]

donnelly didnt do a hell of a lot

 

[sos]

we got the most decisions last night so i dunno why sticky is whinging .

i agree with anyone who thinks donnely is ****

 

[nemo]

I TOTALY 100% AGREE WITH YOU ROB SHARK!
what a waste of money, we have ZERO backs and ricky goes and buys another forward! wtf! Its not as if he baught a Weyman, or a Hannant. He goes and buys a queensand cup player. cannot be serious can he?
Donnely took Millos spot, who i thaught was going well.

:birdno

 

[ROB SHARK]

Cheers, its just stupid throwing cash at an old has been who cant even play first grade for ****s sake.
If you watched the game last night you would have noticed we have several oppurtunities to score but we have no one with enough speed to finish.
If donnelly plays first grade this week its is joke, time he met the NSW cup boys and better get to know them because he'll be spending alot of time with them.

 

[Megashark]

If donnelly plays first grade this week its is joke, time he met the NSW cup boys and better get to know them because he'll be spending alot of time with them.

Yeah Donnelly hasn't done much to impress me in his limited game time so far, maybe he can take Verlinden's place in NSW Cup and we can get a look at Verlinden in first grade?

 

[ROB SHARK]

Yeah Donnelly hasn't done much to impress me in his limited game time so far, maybe he can take Verlinden's place in NSW Cup and we can get a look at Verlinden in first grade?

Mega i dont care who takes Donnelly spot.
As long as he doesnt retain his spot in the side, just give young Mannah another shot, the kid didnt do anything wrong on his debut. Worth a shot.

 

[sharkyboy]

Cheers, its just stupid throwing cash at an old has been who cant even play first grade for ****s sake.
If you watched the game last night you would have noticed we have several oppurtunities to score but we have no one with enough speed to finish.
If donnelly plays first grade this week its is joke, time he met the NSW cup boys and better get to know them because he'll be spending alot of time with them.

was he ever a 'been' in the first place?

and i believe he is also keeping millo out of the team...that bloke is keeping him out? at least millo plays some footbally when hes on the field...instead this guy who plays like 10 minutes and runs sideways and doesnt make any metres ends up playing....OK? lol

 

[bort]

if we are gunna play someone not good enough for firsts id rather it was someone with some potential, noit someone washed up. get mannah or verlinden in there. we have already seen mannah is better

Donnelly
round 6: 4 runs for 20 meters. 17 tackles.
round 7: 2 runs for 10 meters. 7 tackles. 1 miss.

Mannah
round 5: 9 runs for 80 meters. 22 tackles. 1 miss.

 

[ROB SHARK]

i dont think he ever was a been, just a reject at every club he's played at.