Thurston Cleared

[Guest]

I am happy.

They are playing Souffs.

After a blatant forward pass in touch last year, I stated to the ref that he was ****ing blind, and when returning to my line told the team the other mob had an extra man on the field.

I was sent from the field, and sat out for 2 weeks. This goes on all the time in regular comps of footy. Just not at the top level.

[Kingbilly]

Heres another one for you, I saw a bench query an obvious knock on in the local comp (U16s) . The touchy was right there and ignored it, the comment to the TJ was "com'n how did you miss that it was right in front of you" (note the absense of swearing)

The touchie (a full of himself kid, around 17 or 18) turned to the bench and replied "**** off"

[Guest]

he got away with a lot in coffs harbour too! just ask willie?

Johnothan Teflon nothin sticks to this carnnt.

[Rooster_6]

Here's my question... how many of you would've said the same or something similar in the same situation with our beloved Chooks? I know I would've...

My girpe isn't with Thurston, just the NRL.

At least Thurston realises what he has done wrong unlike the NRL and Foxsports who were more worried about the expletives.

Given the significant debate that has taken place since Johnathan Thurston's appearance at the NRL Judiciary last night.

Below is a statement from Thurston.

"I'm not happy with what I saw when I looked back at the tape of me addressing the referee.

"It was an emotional situation though, that got a little out of hand and if I had my chance again of course I would have handled things differently.

"I certainly don't want people to think that I am encouraging anyone to blow up at the referee. The refs deserve respect in any game and I respect the job they are trying to do.

"I have no hard feelings towards Jason or any of the officials and be really upset if people took this as an excuse to be aggressive towards the referee in the future."

[ism22]

I think they went for the wrong change... they proved that he swore at a ref multiple times and accused him of cheating. Surely a charge of something like contrary conduct would have applied. Instead they tried to slam him with having put the whole NRL into disrepute, which look... he didn't. He was a jerk and put himself and the cowboys into disrepute, but the whole NRL into disrepute... that's a BIG call!

Why wasn't he given other softer charges that were easier to prove?

You put the whole game into disrepute when you rape women at NRL functions or go on violent, drunken rampage. Not when you say "yer **** you, you ****ing soft cock, you are a ****ing cheat and we would have ****ing won if you weren't playing for the other ****ing team ****ing." In cases like this I would have thought they could easily prove that his conduct was inappropriate and that he showed disrespect for the authorities and officials of the game. This involved colourful language, which while nothing in itself is still inappropriate.

My guess is that Thurston proved he would have won if the refs call was correct (which is widely accepted) and he did not bring the game into disrepute coz he was right and did not mean to claim that the NRL refs systematically cheated and rigged games (if he wrote a popular article claiming something along those lines then maybe he would put the game into disrepute.)

[Kingbilly]

I don't know what thurston said but if he accused the ref of cheating he should have been sent straight off the field. The refs are soft piss weak babies.

[ism22]

Thurston: "F---ing hell, the touchie is running with it.'"
Robinson: "The pass was forward. It took me a while to get the information to make a decision."
Thurston: ''Took a while … for f---'s sake. You should get man-of-the-match. F---, why didn't you play on?''
Robinson: ''Because it was forward.''
Thurston: ''Ah, f---.''

I think foul language and disrespect were evident. Professionals should act like professionals... He should have done this:
"Why didn't you call it quicker sir?"
"Sorry I just needed to confirm it was forward."
"aaaah so why wasn't it a play on?"
"because it was forward... sorry mate."
"aaah no worries, thanks for clearing that up"

I reckon it's fair to question decisions but players shouldn't swear or accuse the refs of cheating when they are on 6 figure salaries.

[Guest]

you can swear at cops these days and get nothing, swearing isnt the issue, should have been penalised on the field and thats it

[Juggler]

I don't know what thurston said but if he accused the ref of cheating he should have been sent straight off the field. The refs are soft piss weak babies.

Robinson put up with it. It was weak. A number of others - Archer, Hayne, Badger almost certainly wouldnt.

Back when I was refereeing juniors I know I wouldn't have put up with it (I was young then - and 10 kg lighter). One of the funniest things I can remember was Duncan McCrae in U19s/U21s daring Paul Simpkins to put him in the bin for arguing repeatedly. He dared.

[The Axe]

Couple of points.
1. as fans, we can say what we like at matches as long as we do not contribute to a ref feeling threatened. Having said this, I do not feel good about some things that I've said.
2. for players, coaches and support staff, it simply is not on to abuse refs. I topped the state in RU refs exams and was a pretty ordinary ref. Simply, it is not for everyone and some cope better than others. You must respect refs for stepping up and doing a job not many wish to do. No excuses for abuse.

Rebecca Wilson actually wrote a good article today about his. Her view is spot on about rammifications.
Apparently the ref didn't wish to pursue the matter. This is where Finch is a complete joke and shows no leadership. There is a gulf in life experiences and judgement ability between a 20 something and a 40-50 something man. Finch should have over ridden the refs wishes.
Finch, STEP UP you PRETENDER.

Finally, Thurston, you should feel ashamed of yourself. What about showing everyone what a man you are and stand yourself down. I'm sure once the emotion of this issue has cleared you will regret your actions.

[ism22]

you can swear at cops these days and get nothing, swearing isnt the issue, should have been penalised on the field and thats it

Sure... if you're walking past the cop shop and just randomly say "f___ck you cops" it's such a minor offence that they won't nick you. That said, my friend got booked for speeding. They gave him the ticket, then he slammed the door and yelled out "f___k you, you c___ts..." they came back and gave him a 2nd ticket for retaliating.

Thurston's main offence was suggesting that the refs rigged the game, not accepting their call and approaching them in an intimidating manner after the game. He also used foul language, and I'm pretty sure he's lost more points than he would have if he had abused the refs using less colourful language.

Swearing isn't irrelevant, it's just not the main thing here.

[Kingbilly]

The main thing is the softness of the referees.
Their unwillingness to act