LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has announced a significant shift in officiating protocols following widespread backlash over controversial decisions made by the bunker during Round Eight.
This round saw an alarming total of 18 players sent to the sin bin, with questionable calls being made-including some incidents that did not warrant such punishment and others that were overlooked.
Abdo admitted to mistakes made by officials and acknowledged fans' "frustrations" about the bunker's overreach, particularly its intervention in sin-bin calls long after the initial offense.
A notable incident involved Wests Tigers prop Fonua Pole being binned during a match against Cronulla, which prompted league legend Andrew Johns to withhold commentary for 23 minutes in protest.
Another contentious decision was that of Scott Sorensen's sin-binning for a high tackle on Manly's Nathan Brown.
Johns criticized how Sorensen was expected to tackle Brown, who was charging in at full speed, arguing the contact was accidental and part of the game.
Now facing a grade-two dangerous contact charge, Sorensen could receive a two-game suspension or, if the Penrith Panthers can successfully appeal, merely a $1,500 fine and a chance to play against the Broncos in Magic Round.
So far this season, 31 players have been sin-binned for dangerous acts, leading to 17 suspensions, 12 fines, and two incidents with no punishment.
These controversies have significantly damaged fans' confidence in NRL officiating.
Abdo addressed the situation on various TV and radio programs, conceding that mistakes had been made but upheld the referees' intentions to protect players, stating there was no directive to crack down on high contact.
He emphasized that moving forward, fans could expect "less intervention" from the bunker.