Greenberg backs refs, tells coaches to grow up
AN impassioned Todd Greenberg yesterday urged the rugby league community to “grow up’’ and break a culture of blaming referees for defeats.
Greenberg foreshadowed fines would be laid on Cronulla and Manly for caustic press conferences by their coaches Shane Flanagan and Trent Barrett in which they blamed officials for their finals losses.
Flanagan and Barrett will likely be hit with fines today larger than the customary $10,000 penalties the NRL levied against the Cowboys’ Paul Green and Dragons’ Paul McGregor this year.
“We expect a lot more from people in influential positions. Our coaches have a responsibility to the game as well as their clubs and their actions and comments must reflect that always,’’ Greenberg said.
“Emotion, passion and the heartbreak of your season ending is not an excuse. The game really does need to grow up.
“It sets a terrible example to fans and a terrible example to grassroots and it’s got to stop.
“The players make mistakes too and that’s what costs games. That’s why teams lose, not the referees. That culture has to change.
“The vast majority of the calls were spot on. There were 50-50 calls and there will be controversy. That’s the game.
“But to suggest a team won’t be playing finals football this weekend solely due to refereeing errors is ridiculous and it needs to be called out.’’
Asked if the NRL needs to issue heavier fines to act as a deterrent, Greenberg said: “We might have to look at it.
“I don’t want a day to come when junior teams run out and there’s no one with a whistle.’’
Flanagan revealed a list of mistakes by officials that he said cost Cronulla victory against North Queensland on Sunday.