Anyone know why he hasnt reffed the last few weeks? got to be better than the garbage the others bring!

VR in todays championship grand final.

In years past (when Klein did the Grand Finals), he often had a week off the week before the final. However with both Silverwood and Thaler having been the two chosen ones this week and last for the play offs you would have thought the choice must come down to them. IMO Thaler has had the better season and should get the gig - he was also the better of the two this weekend.

Thaler reffed for 80 mins last night without checking for offside at all, except close to the try lines. Not once, for either side, did he appear to look down the line and check everyone was onside. High tackles didn't count last night either, as far as I could see.
I'd prefer Ganson to either Thaler or Silverspud, or would REALLY love that ginger bloke from the Magic Weekend. Reffing with a smile on his face, bless him.

The Ben Thaler who can't make his mind up whether to penalise players for offside when on their own line (Atkins two weeks ago, half the Wire side last night), or let them stand next to the play the ball (Peacock last week).

Thaler was terribly inconsistent last night, particularly with the offside calls. I'm not a big fan of Silverwood either. Ganson has been the best ref all season IMO.

Ganson for Saturday ?

I beg to differ.

Really hoping Gans gets it. Seems unlikely though with him having been reserve ref the past fortnight.

I doubt Thaler will get the GF gig after the CC semi final he has gone down hill imo. Prior to that I'd have said he was the best ref in the comp.

James Child to be the GF ref?

By the beard of Zeus!

Thaler or Silverwood should be nowhere near the Grand Final after their shocking performances of the last couple of weeks.

The only other person that has any experience and is a decent referee is Ganson.

If Child gets the Grand Final, then I will personally drive up to Red Hall and hold a sit in protest in Stuart Cumming's office.

Stevie G best ref by a country mile, that's why we never get him at Leigh.

Out of him and Silverwood? Thaler by a mile. He was going excellently until the CC semi, made one error for which he has been slaughtered and has subsequently been less good - but still much better than Silverwood. I honestly believe about 50% of the calls Silverwood made on Friday night were wrong and he just does not deserve to get the final because of that. Thaler has made errors, but is IMO better than Silverwood.

Would I pick Ganson ahead of the pair of them? Probably.

Whilst I can't dispute Silerwood's poor/highly dubious display on Friday. As mentioned, Thaler was equally appalling in the CC semi-final.

My bug bear with Thaler is his woeful policicing of the play the ball. Anything goes; it appears his only refereeing raison d'etre is hands on the ball. Anything else goes, which makes for a messy, frustrating game for players and supporters alike.

For reference, have a look at Saturday's game and see the amount of times he went back into the defensive line, with his back to the play the ball.