NRL SQUAD REPORT Mr. Adam Gee
At the end of last year’s report, I hoped for the 2021 season to be Covid free with no biosecurity bubbles. Wishful thinking! I guess the theme this year was new variants, vaccines, and relocations. The season began with a further tweak to the new six again rule being introduced for offsides as well as ruck infringements. Again, with the intention to see more free-flowing football and ball in play. As with anything within our game, there will be lovers and haters, but everyone eventually adapts, and the show goes on. The first half of the season allowed our part time officials to re-join the fold and be available to be appointed to games. This saw the milestone of Kieron Irons making his debut on the touchline, along with Tyson Brough and Nick Beashel reaching 250 games. Further milestones included Phil Henderson achieving 100 games as a Touch Judge and appointed to his first Origin series, followed by David Munro’s appointment to his first NRL Grand Final as a Touch Judge. Wyatt Raymond joined the full- time squad and debuted as a Touch Judge, Ashley Klein reached 200 games as a Video Ref, Jared Maxwell 300 as a Video Ref and Steve Chiddy 400 games as a Video Ref. To top off the milestones, Gerry Sutton joined the 300 club as a Referee and Ben Cummins broke records achieving 400 games as a Referee. A true testament to Ben’s commitment, dedication, and resilience throughout his career. Magic Round in Brisbane saw the game move in a direction to really enforce foul play and look after players safety and wellbeing. This led to a weekend of controversy accompanied with multiple sin bins and send offs with the hope to change player behaviour and keep the game we love as safe as possible. With no incident being the same as another there was always going to be much debate around the incidents and games, however, change occurred, players
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CBDRLRA Inc. 100th Annual Report & Financial Statement – Season 2021