Quote: Jemmo "* More responsibility on linesmen
I actually agree with this one, althoguh we should remember that in general touch-judges are less qualified and experienced than referees'"
A TJ's job is, first and foremost, to rule on touch and touch in-goal. Anything else is only advisory to the referee. In addition, today's TJ's are wired up using the communication system. Yes, hand and flag signals are used in the lower leagues and away from the television cameras, but that doesn't mean SL touch judges don't give input to the referee.
Non televised Super League matches are all recorded by RFL representatives, and the match official's audio is recorded alongside it. If you ever get the chance to view one of these recordings, you'll then understand just how much the referee and TJ's communicate with each other.
Quote: Jemmo "* Using the sin bin correctly, and not putting players on report as a cop out
Agree 100%, a report should be for when the incident was not seen only'"
I thought the on-report system was fairly explained by Steve Ganson in last week's Boots 'n' All. In the case of the Catalan player of Gareth O'Brien, it was used because the officials were unsure of the point of contact on O'Brien. Had Ben Thaler sent the Catalan player off, he would then have to describe the point of contact in his dismissal report which would be used in the disciplinary process.
Like a barrister in a court of law, every tiny detail is picked out at RFL disciplinary hearings by the defense. So if Thaler had said in his report, "the Catalan player deliberately made contact with his elbow on O'Brien's head" when on the video it is clear he deliberately used his forearm, the Catalan player would get off scott-free because the report was not accurate.
By placing the incident on report, it ensures the incident is looked at in Leeds by the Match Review Panel, and the guilty player is more likely to get a suspension for his actions and it doesn't question the integrity of the match officials.
