The Ganson/Roby incident aside, I think the RFL really has to start looking at getting it's refereeing and disciplinary system in order. The inconsistencies in the decisions, suspensions and such is very poor, and the lack of transparency is what really aggravates fans.

I recall a few years back that my team Castleford played Wakefield at Millenium Magic, when Mr Child set a record amount of penalties for a game, much to the dissatisfaction of both coaches. He then was in charge of the Good Friday match a few months later and gave what I believe was less there or there abouts a record low amount. I remember thinking at the time, how can a game with the same teams, and the same referee in charge, be officiated so differently? Offences such as laying on and offside, that were given literally once every two or three minutes, had just disappeared? How can that happen?

That illustrated to me how a referee can literally pick and choose how to officiate a game. It appeared almost a defiant two fingers to the people who'd complained about too many penalties, with a new attitude of "fine, I won't give any penalties."

From the sound of it, Wakefield were given a similar treatment according to Agar, but over the course of a half time interval, which, if so, is unfair.

We don't pay money to watch referees. On Sunday at Salford, James Child made almost every scrum re-pack or re-feed the ball, and you can just sense how frustrated both sets of spectators become. It's not necessary, and the lack of awareness and common sense is just astounding.

I genuinely do worry that the referees Tim Roby, Robert Hicks, James Child are three of the worst officials in my time watching the game. Steve Ganson, Bentham, Kirkpatrick, Silverwood, Ian Smith, these guys at least seemed or seem to be in control, in a sense. I guess this generation of referees are younger than the aforementioned, but it's clear to me that fans are more disillusioned with officials than ever before. I mean, it's a rugby fans' perogative to complain about referees, and will be until the end of time, but something needs to change. Whether that is bringing in new referees, bringing in a second referee, I don't know - but I think the RFL needs to act.

Same goes for the disciplinary. Ben Flower and Mickey Pea both committed cannonball tackles against Castleford in the last two weeks - one resulted in a penalty and a sin binning with no ban, one wasn't sin binned with a 2 match ban? Likewise, Justin Carney got two three match bans for lifting/spear tackles against Saints and London last year, and committed a similar offence in the game on Sunday, but this season, doesn't get charged (even though it looked to me as though if following last years precedence, he should well be).

I'd like to think the RFL will start to see how these decisions can anger/put off supporters, and I don't think an #asktheref Twitter publicity machine where a referee tells you that night is day and black is white to justify the decisions is any help. We have a fantastic game as a spectacle, and the officials are really beginning to spoil it.

So are you posting this to imply Steve Ganson was the victim of an attack from an old woman and shouldn't be judged harshly?
I'm not sure how much that effects his ability to be an impartial ref (or ref's boss).

No it isn't. You originally said...I got into a fight and hurt a lad, no further action was taken even though I was arrested and charged...'"

I'll bow to the lawyers on this one.

Why anyone would want to bring their own police record onto a public forum is beyond me.

As this thread has become. Unnecessary too