Does the coach have the opportunity to speak to the ref at half time? If so, i know both coaches are likely to be saying you are letting the opposition get away with x, y and z, however, it can be done in a more controlled fashion, than in the instance we are talking. Griffin is clearly f***ed off with a decision or series of decisions, bite your tongue and let Tony Smith have a word at HT

another option could be a ref challenge, which if the team is correct, they retain or lose if incorrect. i know that may not prevent the Griffin incident, especially if you've blown the challenge early doors

IMO the ref should be protected in a way on the pitch during the game, however, should be scrutinised post match, and if found to be sub-standard, highlight the issues, if consistently poor, then demoted to lower league until performances are up to scratch. On one hand i feel for the refs as they are in a no win situation as both sets of players / fans will see a call differently, and we need them for us to have the game we love watching, but on the other hand at times it feels like it is all about them and making poor / inconsistent decisions

Isn't this what is already supposed to happen? Sure i have read before that ref's also go through a review and disciplinary process.

Griffin's ban is more than deserved imo. To speak to the ref in the manner he seemed to and is reported to have, get carded and then keep going as he is walking away to then be carded again. That level of disrespect towards officials can't be allowed to slide.

Then we should also stop refs laughing and joking with players during a game. They are there to officiate not to bond with them. They can’t be all pally and then throw out the toys when something is said back at them .

This.

There's kids and teenagers who play the game watching that game and if its ignored then its a green light for them to abuse refs with no fear of being punished. There has to be a precedent set from a professional point of view.

The minutes say he called him a f*@king cheat on two occasions (although Griffin disputes that, saying he called him an arrogant summat or other). If that’s now a long ban then fair enough, we know where we stand and players who do it will get everything they deserve.

I thought it was interesting that Richard Silverwood agreed it’s a ban but thought it was excessive at 7 games. He thought 4 games would be about right and I tend to agree. It’s hard not to compare incidents like for like and the same bans (or very similar) for what Josh Maguire apparently said in his two incidents, compared to this or O’Donnell getting a game less for something that could’ve paralysed a player feels wrong in my book but I go back to this now being a line in the sand moment and it it is, fair enough. The next player to say something similar will be even thicker than Griffin.

Once he was charged with a F it was always going to be 6 games due to the RFL guidelines. He's probably got an extra game given it was his second offence this season in a similar vein.

I think the word "cheat" (if true) has been the tipping point in that he is deemed to have then questioned the refs integrity. If he had said s**thouse for example then would the charge have been less? Who knows

I have a mate who is a ref and he’s always told me that the worst insult a ref could have thrown at them is to be called a cheat.

I’m comfortable with it as long as this is now the standard going forward but we’ll see. I do think Kendall himself probably needs to have a think about how he interacts with the players but it’s no excuse for Griffin.

I agree with that, have never liked when Ref's refer to players by their first names. It does give off that pal-ey vibe. No issue with players and refs being matey off the pitch, but on should be all business and mutual respect.



Yes a line has been drawn, consistency is key now, something they have not been very good at to be honest.

O'Donnell did get off lightly and should have got more games imo, so should Hardaker. His tackle was also reckless and lacking control. He also didn't exactly place him or let go, Hardaker's tackle could also have taken a very sour turn. Appealing that is ludicrous and hopefully they do get done with a frivolous appeal as i don't think the new trial has occurred yet?

Hardakers appeal has been heard. Grading stood, as did the one game but it cost them £500 extra. If ever there was a case to tag extra games on that was it.

There's no doubt that refs need protecting. As someone else has said, there is no game without them and we should all be aware of that, particularly the players as it's their livelihood.

That said, Kendal has been rank bad over the last couple of games. I let it slide (1st half v Saints) when it was us as I took the old 'cherry and white specs' into consideration but he was equally as inept in the Quarter final. No excuse for Griffin but equally he needs to seriously up his game as he's becoming a liability capable of affecting the outcome of the matches he's reffing and surely that shouldn't be the case. Moreso when it seems to be on a consistent basis.

You should never back chat an official, I'm on board with that 100% and hate when it happens, BUT the standard at the moment seems to be really poor and I can see why players get frustrated. The lack of consistency is a big issue we need to address.

I also feel that clubs don't help the situation. Well, certain clubs.

They come out and criticise officials and so when that official starts to appear to side towards them with big decisions it will always bring the "cheat" or "bias" card into play.

Let's not forget there was an RFL conspiracy for the first 3to4 months of the season that amazingly has gone away last 3 or 4 weeks

I'm presuming "certain clubs" is a pop at Saints?

I don't recall Wellens or any club officials criticising referees? The fans did for sure but not Wellens. I also don't recall him having a pop at the disciplinary either just that the players "need to be smarter"

Well it wasn't directly aimed at Saints as other clubs have done it too, but didn't your Chairman write some scathing programme notes about officials?