I hope the NRL really reflect on the reasons why this game blew up and the Warriors management push for explanations.
In the last 6 games since we have been pushing for finals, we have only won the penalty count once and the possession stats once. Plus had 6 players put in the bin (to 1), 12 on report and multiple suspensions. We all know the 2 whole games where we got no 6 agains at all while the opposition got plenty. An undisciplined team should be reflected in a excessive error count but the stats highlight that this is not the case as these were basically even across the last 6 games. It appears we were just dealt with harshly when the ref influence was involved. The ‘didn’t care’ performance yesterday was the product of a team that knows it’s been shafted. The try disallowed because of a forward pass that wasn’t just another example…
The fight was set up when Wallace laid down rubbing his chin after the
Lodge tackle. Just looking at it again and there was absolutely nothing in it. Penalty minimum, if that. Yet
Lodge gets put on report. This is after last week where the Raiders milked their way to victory and 3 of our players ended up on report (including
Lodge who only on appeal got off).
When players can milk a player onto report and the match review committee is trying to charge a milked penalty (like with the Raider/
Lodge last week) then the games in trouble. This is guys careers and livelihoods on the line and refs are shafting teams (confirmed by stats) and reffing on reputation.
Unprofessional rule interpretations got its outcome in a unprofessional and frustrated display from our players. Reflect on this NRL…