Gerard Sutton is a Cheat

[The Lip]

IMO some (not all) refs have an unconscious bias. But the more I think about it the more I blame the current system. Whereby the refs are allowed to enforce the gsme through their "interpretation" of a rule. This is what breeds inconsistency. Rules are supposed to be black and white. It all comes back to this product of trying to create a faster game with higher scores and 6 agains. Defence is an equal part of a strong performance, but it isn't treated as such.

On one hand I agree however on the flip side we complain they don't ref the obstruction rule with enough feel for the game or the exact situation.

they have a tough job no doubt - lose the six again make them blow a penalty then they have to at least stand by the decision and can be scrutinised- six agains are a free for all that don't get questioned. So if there is a chance for bias this rule lets it thrive.

[The Axe]

It seems that everyone contributing to this forum thinks the referees are cheats.
There needs to be a poll done with all NRL fans, giving them the right to vote on whether they think the Referees are "lying, cheating bastards"
If the poll comes back with an overwhelming "Yes" vote (which I think it will) , then the NRL Annusley and the referees need to have a long hard look at themselves.
And fix the problem.
There is no point hiding behind the outrage, that the players show disrespect for the referees , and the players "cannot do that"
Ban Brandon Smith for 3 matches for telling the truth ?.
Just because you are in a position of power.
Power can come and go - you can be easily outed , or voted out, from a position of power.
If Brandon Smith says a referee is "a lying , cheating bastard ....... the fans have told me so" he is not showing disrespect - he is just telling the truth.
We all know he's telling the truth.
Brandon Smith calls it a s he sees it - he calls a spade a spade- he wears his heart on his sleeve.
Lets stop being hypocrites.
Is anybody with a voice, game enough to cause a ripple ? Gould, Fittler, the coaches? - anybody? or are they just all gutless wonders, just interested in keeping the status quo, and keeping their jobs safe.
It may just help stamp out the corruption, game fixing, game management, cheating, lying, favouritism and bias, that we see in our game, that is a complete blight on the NRL.

It’s never a problem whilst not admitted. Nrl would never ask the question. If they were authentic the nrl should use the integrity unit to check out and then clear refs of any betting or illegal relationships.

[roostermcgregor]

I never, ever had a problem with the refereeing of Laurie Brueyers, Jack Danzey, John Goucher, Kevin Robert’s, or Bill Harrigan. I thought they were completely fair, and completely unbiased. They let the players decide who won the games. They were also competent in their job.
I cannot say that about the current crop of referees.
There is a hidden agenda.
Why?
Is there too much money at stake, so that the NRL wants to keep supporters & fans of certain teams interested?
Why do the idiotic 6 again and other rulings get thrown out the door when the finals series begins?
There are too many unknowns , too many inconsistencies for my liking. It is almost like the refereeing decisions are surrounded by paranormal activity. Why are players like Brandon Smith, Dane Gagai ( in last nights Roosters Knights game) and JWH (bless his soul , he is an angel compared to what he used to be) completely frustrated with the refs? Anyone who thinks the refereeing standard is up to scratch are kidding themselves

[Bruce Pickett]

I never, ever had a problem with the refereeing of Laurie Brueyers, Jack Danzey, John Goucher, Kevin Robert’s, or Bill Harrigan. I thought they were completely fair, and completely unbiased. They let the players decide who won the games. They were also competent in their job.
I cannot say that about the current crop of referees.
There is a hidden agenda.
Why?
Is there too much money at stake, so that the NRL wants to keep supporters & fans of certain teams interested?
Why do the idiotic 6 again and other rulings get thrown out the door when the finals series begins?
There are too many unknowns , too many inconsistencies for my liking. It is almost like the refereeing decisions are surrounded by paranormal activity. Why are players like Brandon Smith, Dane Gagai ( in last nights Roosters Knights game) and JWH (bless his soul , he is an angel compared to what he used to be) completely frustrated with the refs? Anyone who thinks the refereeing standard is up to scratch are kidding themselves

Agree although ol timers will never forgive or forget Keith Page. Google or YouTube 1972 GF.

The only refs I’ve had issues with were Hartley, Cummins and Sutton. Klein is just incompetent not biased. Refs aren’t cheats but they are footy fans and most footy fans don’t like Easts. They also know we won’t get much sympathy from the press or fans so they can do things with impunity unless its so blatant and bad that we even get sympathy from Souths fans like a couple of weeks ago.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

On one hand I agree however on the flip side we complain they don't ref the obstruction rule with enough feel for the game or the exact situation.

they have a tough job no doubt - lose the six again make them blow a penalty then they have to at least stand by the decision and can be scrutinised- six agains are a free for all that don't get questioned. So if there is a chance for bias this rule lets it thrive.

Yeah agreed. Lose the 6 again. Most of the time I don't like Paul Kent but I agree with him on this one. Lose the 6 again and bring back the penalty. You will probably have 1-2 rounds where teams will concede 15-20+ penalties but that won't last. Quickly they will get their acts together. Small pain for alot of gain.

Alas the common sense approach won't eventuate in this regard. PVL and Co. seem to think this brand of football is what we all want

[bondi paul]

Agree although ol timers will never forgive or forget Keith Page. Google or YouTube 1972 GF.

The only refs I’ve had issues with were Hartley, Cummins and Sutton. Klein is just incompetent not biased. Refs aren’t cheats but they are footy fans and most footy fans don’t like Easts. They also know we won’t get much sympathy from the press or fans so they can do things with impunity unless its so blatant and bad that we even get sympathy from Souths fans like a couple of weeks ago.

I’ve always likened G Sutton to the egomaniac Keith Page. I knew a number of players from that 72 GF team who knew they were in for a difficult time with Page as ref due to past bias over that season and previous ones. One player who I won’t mention said it was a stitch up.

[player 1]

Pamfers enjoying a nice ride from Klein tonight to help them over the line, with some telling phantom 6 agains and penalties - 7-3 their way currently.

They may go back to back, but it will be like other modern participation awards compared to our BTB against -200 penalty differentials over the years.

[Noosa Rooster]

I’ve always likened G Sutton to the egomaniac Keith Page. I knew a number of players from that 72 GF team who knew they were in for a difficult time with Page as ref due to past bias over that season and previous ones. One player who I won’t mention said it was a stitch up.

Have to agree that Keith Page was the worst. I remember an Easts v Manly game at the SCG in that year of 72 when he sent off at least 2 and possibly 3 of our players including Kevin Junee for his feeding of the scrum!

Maybe my memory is skewered now but I always thought Keith Holman was the best referee.

[King Salvo]

It seems that everyone contributing to this forum thinks the referees are cheats.
There needs to be a poll done with all NRL fans, giving them the right to vote on whether they think the Referees are "lying, cheating bastards"
If the poll comes back with an overwhelming "Yes" vote (which I think it will) , then the NRL Annusley and the referees need to have a long hard look at themselves.
And fix the problem.
There is no point hiding behind the outrage, that the players show disrespect for the referees , and the players "cannot do that"
Ban Brandon Smith for 3 matches for telling the truth ?.
Just because you are in a position of power.
Power can come and go - you can be easily outed , or voted out, from a position of power.
If Brandon Smith says a referee is "a lying , cheating bastard ....... the fans have told me so" he is not showing disrespect - he is just telling the truth.
We all know he's telling the truth.
Brandon Smith calls it a s he sees it - he calls a spade a spade- he wears his heart on his sleeve.
Lets stop being hypocrites.
Is anybody with a voice, game enough to cause a ripple ? Gould, Fittler, the coaches? - anybody? or are they just all gutless wonders, just interested in keeping the status quo, and keeping their jobs safe.
It may just help stamp out the corruption, game fixing, game management, cheating, lying, favouritism and bias, that we see in our game, that is a complete blight on the NRL.

To clear this up I don't think the match official are cheats or on the take as you allege.

So you are saying that the NRL should act on the results of an anonymous poll ? - what concrete evidence is there that the match officials are cheats and are on the take though?

Do you actually know what you are saying - you are actually saying all the match officials ( ref's/ linespersons/bunker officials) are cheats and are on the take and thus the results of all games are fixed including who the premiers are each year as after all you make allegations about corruption and game fixing by match officials.

I don't recall much discussion about match officials when the Chooks are winning comps and after every game 1/2 or so of the attendees at a game will be thinking their team got the rough end of the pineapple from the match officials i.e supporters of the team that lost - ditto for any League website.

[Maxy Walker]

I find whenever I bet on a game that the ref is heavily biased against the team I backed. There is definitely a hidden agenda there to ensure I don’t win money on the footy.

[redwhiteblue]

I’ve always likened G Sutton to the egomaniac Keith Page. I knew a number of players from that 72 GF team who knew they were in for a difficult time with Page as ref due to past bias over that season and previous ones. One player who I won’t mention said it was a stitch up.

His nickname was Yappy from memory..because he would never shut up..

[roosterchook]

We always got a very bad deal from the refs even when we won the comp. Then we were good enough to beat our opponents and the biased ref. But with 6 agains on top, we have struggled a lot and with injuries/retirements. But mostly we have not been in the refs unbiased books. We do things wrong but we get very few 50/50’s. we just have to play well enough to beat the ref as well.

[bondi paul]

Have to agree that Keith Page was the worst. I remember an Easts v Manly game at the SCG in that year of 72 when he sent off at least 2 and possibly 3 of our players including Kevin Junee for his feeding of the scrum!

Maybe my memory is skewered now but I always thought Keith Holman was the best referee.

I was at that match of the day Manly game - Page sent 3 off. Not sure if it was 72 because I seem to remember Peard was one of the send offs. I think in 72 he was with Gibson at St George. Our 72 5/8 was John Ballesty who was a great mate of hooker Digger Moscatt.

[bondi paul]

His nickname was Yappy from memory..because he would never shut up..

Yappy was Keith Holman. Keith Page kissed himself good nite. He fancied himself as a male model with the legendary model agent Garry Griifin.

[redwhiteblue]

Yappy was Keith Holman. Keith Page kissed himself good nite. He fancied himself as a male model with the legendary model agent Garry Griifin.

That's right...I realised that after I posted.....to be fair, I was only 5 years old in 1972...