NRL Grand Final 2027

Update;

Had my first referee training session tonight. Apparently Im pretty decent at blowing a whistle for a newbie. I'm not sure whether or not to be proud of that. I also got to learn the skill of raising and lowering a touch judge flag. It's also nice for the first time ever to not be the token fat guy training and always last at everything. There's some big boppers that referee.

Next stop is this Sunday where I make my debut. Got a slightly larger shirt so I don't have to look too much like a tool with it tucked in.

Oh and badger was supposed to take our session today he might do it in a couple of weeks. He thinks he got the call against the Titans wrong too. Sorry Titans fans.

Anyway, very excited about Sunday.

 

Just received the draw for the big day this Sunday. Refereeing 3 and a half games. All 8 year olds. Those parents have no idea what they are in for (or maybe I have no idea). I think tomorrow I'm going to go do some 10 metre sprints in preparation rather than my usual run I go for on a Saturday.

Bring it on.

 

Haha yeah that is a big concern especially since at that age the kids are everywhere and no doubt I'll be stepping on them

 

Yeah there are two of us covering 7 games so either one of us will do a 4th or we will do half a game each

 

Update;

The world of refereeing will never be the same as I have officially made my debut today. Got through 5 games of U8s and fucking loved it. So easy to tell which kids are going to go on to be something and which will just be dumb. All was fairly normal until La Perouse played Bentley and all the fob kids came on and started smacking each other around. Every second tackle was high and had to send a kid off. They also got into a punch up after the game. U8s can you believe it!

Anyway, highly looking forward to my next outing. I had positive feedback and may ref 9s next time. Also got a free sausage sandwich too so life is good

 

Update;

Round 1 was this morning and put in a solid 4 game haul of Div 1 U8s. Why is it that all the good players are little shits? Didn't send anyone off but was close to having to. Can't help but feel sorry for some teams who just get romped. One team lost 62-4 and that's in 30 minutes of play. Don't be concerned though that doesn't mean I go easy on them. One of the senior guys came and watched me ref and liked what he saw. Said that he can see me going very far in the next 3-4 years. I'm assuming he means reffing NRL by then

Also, note to self. Wear tighter briefs. I swear it felt like my testicle popped out a couple of times after someone made a break and I had to run a long distance. Ain't nobody got time for dat. Unless you're Dennis Ferguson or Crowley.

 

This week I refereed U7's and its crazy how different a year makes in terms of brain development. The U8s were relatively switched on and aware but the U7s had no idea what was going on haha the coaches have to be so freaking patient. One kid today took the ball, turned around and ran the entire length of the field towards his own goal line and put the ball down to score. The crowd even cheered too thinking it was a try and the coach was like "come on give it to him" I'm like how the hell is that even possible?

Anyway, the referee before me who was doing 6's was the most obese man I have ever seen the guy dead set weighed 250KG at least. I know it's cruel but I couldn't help but laugh because he refused to actually get back with the defense he just refereed the whole game on halfway. If a kid broke through and scored he would just signal a try on halfway