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?

He certainly did.

He should have taken the shafting instead though. All that money fans paid to go down to Wembley doesn't matter etc. The last thing we want to do is hurt the feelings of a ref right. I mean, reading the last 20 or so comments we're so lucky to have them.

Quote: Stu M "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"'" How to have a dig without having a dig 101 https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/paul-wel ... DkeyseW9Oc

Quote: Stu M "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"'" How to have a dig without having a dig 101 https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/paul-wel ... DkeyseW9Oc

That was 4 years ago! 2019 CC Final when Knowles scored but Hicks didn't bother with the VR and gave no try.

Weirdly Hicks had been to Warrington the week before the Final at some sort of club function and that was another thing that McManus raised as not being right.

You brought Saints up, not me

It is tame, very nicely put but a sly dig nonetheless

So as well as not banning players for foul play, you also think we should allow players and coaches to call officials a cheat?

100%. All this talk about "without refs there is no game" is BS. You could say it for anything. Without the fans, there's no interest from sponsors, season ticket revenue. Let's also be dead nice to the guys who make the rugby balls too. After all you can't play a game with a ball can you.

If I was a chairman, who I'd rather keep happy. 8k of paying customers or a g!mp with a whistle.

Also, if you aren't smart enough to work out that stars make games more interesting and that then drives up revenue, then maybe this won't be much of a discussion.

What happens if you're not a star player?

If Jai Field or Bevan French decide to "Eric Cantona" someone on Sunday then that's fine as they put bums on seats. What happens if Brad Singleton does it? Nobody pays to watch him.

What happens is what I suggested - they get fined. Their actions, their responsibility and their pockets that get hit. Not those of the club, or the fans.

It really is quite simple. Not sure why you can't grasp it?

Care to point out where the ball manufacturers or paying spectators have had to put up with abuse from the players? I've just googled it and, amazingly, nothing came up.

Speak for yourself pal! I have a rule where I do not attend unless Big Bad Brad is playing and I refuse to believe I’m the only one.

Can't get enough of the unseen work he does eh!

but without the refs there is no game for the sponsors and fans...