NRL REPORT – Mr Adam Gee

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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and officials adapted which led to some tight, intense matches in the latter half of the season.

Just following Magic Round, Sydney was hit by another Covid wave. The Commission along with Andrew Abdo, Grahem Annesley and their staff took it upon themselves to undertake the mammoth logistical task of relocating the entire competition to Queensland into three separate hubs, which essentially saved the season.

The Referees and staff shared a hotel for five weeks in Brisbane with the Sharks, Tigers and Dragons. Teams and Referees had their own team rooms or common rooms, however, we shared and utilised training facilities at varying times along with the dining areas, pool & gym. This was a unique situation, but one which had to be embraced under the circumstances and allowed interaction and a chance to build rapport whilst constantly being Covid tested.

Covid conditions allowed both players and referees alike to witness the other side of the person away from the intense on-field environment. It was an insight into how varying athletes prepare and recover. You could see the highs and lows the players have, especially if someone’s season had ended through injury the night before, just as they could witness if a Referee was being criticised publicly after a match. This made for an interesting conversation over coffee!

After approximately three weeks many players’ wives, partners and children arrived along with some of the Referees families. This saw the hotel become quite crowded as we moved down the road in Southbank to apartments. The game did a wonderful job to keep the competition going and we were very fortunate to visit some regional Queensland venues along with games where the other hubs were on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

As mentioned, some officials were lucky enough to have their families come up to Queensland. Others due to work or family circumstances could not take up this option. It would be remiss not to acknowledge the sacrifices people made not just in officiating, but the broader game and their families to allow the competition to continue for the three months of relocation through to the first ever Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium.

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At the end of the season, we farewelled Henry Perenara who unfortunately had to medically retire from on-field duties and decided to completely finish up from bunker duties as well. Henry made a very successful transition from playing into refereeing and I am sure has made lifelong friendships along the way.

Last but not least, Matt Checchin also announced his retirement and was farewelled by a guard of honour from players and officials along with a standing ovation from the crowd after his final match at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Both Matt and Henry were very well liked and respected members of the squad and will be sorely missed. On behalf of Canterbury Referees, I would like to personally congratulate them on their careers and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.

I am sure season 2022 will still bring its challenges, but hopefully some form of normality for players, officials, and fans.

Adam Gee NRL Squad Member #108

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