HERE it is footy fans, the REAL rugby league competition ladder.
The Daily Telegraph and Fox Sports Stats have found seven matches this year — one for each round — in which dubious refereeing decisions have likely affected the final outcome.
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And, accordingly, we have altered the competition ladder so fans would know exactly where their team would be sitting if referees avoided their regular mishaps.
The revised ‘blunder free’ ladder. Source: DailyTelegraph
Had Parramatta secured the two competition points in a controversial loss to Manly at Brookvale in round three, the Eels would now be on 10 competition points.
That would put Parramatta equal first on the premiership ladder going into Monday’s big match against Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium. And alongside Parramatta would be St George Illawarra.
The Dragons would also be on 10 points with five wins from seven games had referees ended last week’s game against Melbourne when the siren sounded.
Manly would be the big losers. The Sea Eagles were fortunate to claim wins over Parramatta and also last Friday night against luckless North Queensland in Gosford.
Todd Greenberg says Paul Green handled himself with class 1:00
NRL head of Football Todd Greenberg has praised North Queensland Coach Paul Greens comments after the video referee awarded Manly a try despite a clear obstruction in the lead up on Friday night.
North Queensland coach Paul Green was understandably irate that an obstruction penalty wasn’t awarded during Manly’s late try to win the game, threatening to walk nude down Pitt St.
“We were very lucky to get away with that one,” Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran told Triple M.
Had the Sea Eagles lost both those games, last year’s runners-up would be on six competition points — and running sixth last on percentages.
Canterbury could also be accused of having a run of luck to go with their victories.
2014 controversial games — part one. Source: DailyTelegraph
In round six, New Zealand claimed Bulldogs star Josh Reynolds milked a penalty which levelled the scores at 20-all. Canterbury won in golden point.
And Souths expressed frustration that an obstruction decision went against them in a try to Bulldogs winger Corey Thompson last Friday afternoon. Rabbitohs half-back Adam Reynolds described the call as “iffy”.
Had Canterbury been beaten in those matches, they would be sitting eighth on six points.
In round five, Melbourne were filthy at a controversial loss to Gold Coast at AAMI Park.
2014 controversial games — part two. Source: DailyTelegraph
It appeared Titans prop Luke Douglas dropped the ball cold in a three-man tackle but it was ruled a strip.
“I know it’s a Storm crowd, but I think most people would be reasonably upset with that penalty,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said at the time.
It was a case of deja vu on Sunday when Bellamy’s Storm were dudded again against the Raiders.
Replies
Who ever said the refs have an effect on who wins the title every year is damn crazy?
Ye i picked up on that as well. Milking a penalty you expect from manly and is considered normal for them but that play the ball where he was pretty much facing the sideline, that was the real howler.
There were actually 2 occasions they played the ball incorrectly.
Anyhoo...