THE MORNING HERALD FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018 FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018 THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 42 Sport League League Sport 43 Norman Annesley wrong supports fit for integrity Titans measures

Christian Nicolussi Andrew Webster Adrian Proszenko Chief Sports Writer ’s insistence that Gold Coast chief executive and he does not want to join another Leading referee Matt former NSW Minister for Sport rebuilding club has all but Graham Annesley has backed ended his faint chances of a Cecchin reveals why recommendations to bolster Gold Coast homecoming. he’s walking away from Australian sport’s defence Titans coach Garth Brennan against integrity threats, confirmed he had met with the NRL at the end of believing those operating within Norman last month, but the the season. Ritual: Cecchin loves lending a hand most Tuesday nights When Cecchin revealed in an the laws have nothing to fear. Parramatta playmaker’s to Pass It On, a charity that helps clothe the homeless in interview in 2012 that he was gay, A government-commissioned Photos: Wolter Peeters comments on Thursday about att Cecchin was in the Martin Place. becoming the only review into the risks facing wanting to join a ‘‘stable’’ club bar of an Auckland figure since Ian Roberts in the 1990s Australian sport has found gaps rather than embracing youth all hotel hours after the to come out publicly, he received in legislation and the need for but ended the debate. World Cup semi-final warm support from the players. significant reforms to protect it ‘‘Corey was up this way Mbetween Tonga and England last “Nate Myles was beside me in a from match-fixing, doping and visiting his mum, he was down at year when his phone rang. It was scrum and said, ‘Good on you, other forms of corruption. Burleigh with Peatsy, so I went the New Zealand Federal Police. Cech, for your article. It was really The proposed changes down for a coffee and catch-up, “We’ve picked up hundreds and brave’,” he recalls. “It just has not include the setting up of a that’s all it was,’’ Brennan said. hundreds of messages and they are been an issue. I think people think National Sports Integrity ‘‘He’s a very talented player, but death threats,” the leading referee of me as a ref, not the gay ref. I’ve Commission; for match-fixing to at the end of the day we needed was told. “We’ve contacted your never heard one comment from become a federal offence; for to look at, one: if he was the right family members because they have anyone in the crowd.” suspects to be placed under fit for our club, that’s something been targeted as well. Don’t leave So what of the theory that he is electronic surveillance; for our committee looks at, and, the hotel. We will pick you up and on the outer with Archer and positive drug tests to be made two: if we can even afford him take you to the airport. Back in Sutton because of his sexuality? available to the new anti- and fit him in. Australia, you’ll be picked up by “That lasted for a day and if it corruption watchdog; and for ‘‘At the moment, with our the Australian Federal Police.” lasted any longer I would’ve come jail terms to be handed to cap, it’s probably a ‘no’ to the Earlier that night, NRL chief out publicly and addressed it,” he athletes passing on inside second one. He’s on some really says. “I’ve been camping with the information. big money at Parramatta and bottom. They got no accolades “The game is so technical now. I am not there next week. So when Sutton boys. Arch was the first The Australian Athletes there’s certainly no way we can after Origin I at all and that’s When I first started, you had a they say we’re not accountable, person I came out to when we were Alliance has already raised get near that. Ifhe’s also saying because the game was in meltdown knock-on, a forward pass, a slow that’s crap. We’re one decision both in the squad. It’s not an issue.” concerns about some of the he doesn’t want to come to a club Death threats, relentless flak about me not getting it.” tackle or a high tackle. Now you’ve away from being dropped. There’s Something that’s helped proposals, chiefly over privacy. that’s rebuilding, well, that rules Time for the hard questions ... got ‘dominants’ and ‘surrenders’ no player that has that.” Cecchin through this season has Annesley is a unique position. us out. We’re a young footy side. Are the referees divided? At war and ‘spinning’ and ‘peeling’ and Cecchin first picked up a been the charity Pass It On, which The former referee held the I’ve said it at our press with each other? ‘grappling’ and ‘upright tackles’. whistle when one was thrown to provides clothing directly to the sport portfolio when the NSW conferences throughout the year force Cecchin to to quit NRL “I want to say that any journalist It’s terribly complicated. As him by his PE teacher at Holy homeless. When we find Cecchin government became the first in that a lot of our inconsistencies or commentator is welcome to officials, we have to adjudicate Cross College Ryde when he was and his partner, Brent, at Martin Australia to introduce cheating- have been on the back of having executive Todd Greenberg had season, possibly heading to the round-four match between the squad to not referee come into our office and they will under that pressure. You need that 12. The teacher was Ronnie Place on Tuesday, he is wearing an at-gambling legislation. His view such a young squad. given Cecchin a high five, Super League in the UK if an Cronulla and Melbourne. The consistently. To do that, it was to see a group of guys who work hard information. I’m asking for Palmer, the iconic trainer who has NRL referees hoodie – and hearing remains that match-fixing is the ‘‘We are a rebuilding side, and congratulating him for making the opportunity arises. If it doesn’t, he players became so frustrated that my own personal detriment but with each other, are competitive information.” worked at several clubs. the same one-liners that he might greatest threat to the integrity if he wants a club that’s not brave – and correct – decision in the won’t referee again and he won’t a fight erupted. I’ve got no regrets because we with each other, and like each Some will dismiss these Cecchin got his referee’s ticket at Panthers Stadium this Sunday. of sport and all reasonable rebuilding, it rules out the Titans. final minutes to disallow a try to stay involved with rugby league. Perception is everything in this stayed together and stuck close.” other a heap. I’ve known Ash and responses as guff. Sitting across the following week and became so “You’ve cost me money the last measures to beat the scourge The likelihood is it’s unlikely, Tongan prop Andrew Fifita after “I’m done,” he says. game. Many of us assumed it was A few days after that match, Gerry for 10 years. They are good, from Cecchin, it sounds sincere. obsessed with the job he would three weeks!” says one person. should be embraced. taking into consideration those the ball was stripped from him near Cecchin has spoken in the past Cecchin’s way of making a point to Cecchin and Bernard Sutton flew good friends.” “It’s not guff, mate,” he insists. pretend to officiate the State Bank “Better ref than that Bill “If a sport is seen to lack three factors.’’ the try line. Cecchin didn’t refer the about his battle with mental referees bosses Tony Archer and to Melbourne for a Storm training They’re your fellow referees. What “All this criticism about the Big Game and Panasonic Cup in Harrigan,” offers another. integrity, it’s finished as a major Norman will earn about decision to the video referee but illness, explaining to Fairfax Media Bernard Sutton that he didn’t session. “Sorry about the fight at about Archer and Bernard Sutton, referees is just pulling us together front of the TV in his lounge-room. We all stand around and argue sporting code,” Annesley said. $900,000 next season in the made the call himself. last year how he almost faked an agree with the penalty blitz; that the end,” Melbourne captain your bosses? about the Ricky Leutele no-try in “We have to continue to do final year of his deal at the Eels. “That’s what I want you guys to injury because he didn’t want to he was frustrated about being told Cameron Smith said to Cecchin. “I’ve had eight different refs the Sharks-Broncos match a week everything we can to ensure the Fairfax Media understands do,” Greenberg told him. “Back take control of a match at Shark how to do a job he’s been doing “Cam, I wanted to join you,” coaches. I’ve had dramas and ‘How much better could we be if the earlier. “I think they got it right,” integrity of sport is protected.’’ the club is prepared to pay yourself.” Park because of his anxiety. since 2001; that it confirmed he Cecchin laughed back. “I was barneys with all of them. That’s the Cecchin says. In his role as minister, about $150,000 if he was to find Others viewed it differently. The “I feel bad when I f--- up,” he was on the outer as Sutton handed frustrated as well.” type of person I am. But those environment was a little bit more positive.’ “I love coming here,” he says Annesley was privy to a series a new home. The five-eighth, sheer volume of messages to says. “I take it to heart if I don’t headline matches to his brother, Cecchin tells the Herald all this conversations have to be kept later. “Chris Vagg [the founder of of briefings from the Crime who goes head to head with the Cecchin’s social media accounts, referee well.” Gerard, ahead of Cecchin, who earlier this week over coffee private. If either one of us is fearful Matt Cecchin the charity] reached out to me at a Commission. It gave him an Titans on Saturday, has been and that of his family, set off But this season has been some believe is the best referee outside an inner-city cafe, of that getting out, people don’t time when I was struggling. Come appreciation of the risks happy to promote the fact Eels alarms with the NZFP. different. It’s been so heavy he’s since Bill Harrigan. completely content with his talk. When they don’t talk, you can’t because all we’ve got is each other. His first-grade debut came in along, it will be good for you. And athletes and sports face. coach will not “My son got hit, my partner got had to talk twice a day to his sport “I wouldn’t have the balls to use decision. Simply, he feels free. progress. You talk about morale. We’re all judged as a collective on 2001, between and I did and I’ve been here most “In some of the incidents stand in his way if he jags hit and my mum got hit with death therapist, Rosie Stanimirovic. The a game of rugby league to stick it “Just the noise affects me now,” There’s no problem at all. The noise one person’s stuff-up. North at Leichhardt Tuesday nights since. we’ve seen overseas, criminal another deal. threats,” Cecchin, 44, reveals. NRL’s head of football, Brian up anyone,” Cecchin laughs. “I was he says. “In the past, when it has, gets to you when you aren’t there. “The only thing I’ve really Oval, and the role of the referee has “They are people who just love organisations make threats ‘‘He [Arthur] said, ‘Look “I started thumbing through my Canavan, checks in daily. just trying to do the best I could in Rosie and I have a chat, she dusts And that’s when it affects your strongly asked for with Todd is a changed as much since then as the talking to you. And they have a against athletes in order to after Corey Norman,’ so there phone and there were more than a The “noise” started with the an environment that was new to me off and I go out and do an Origin family and relationships.” full-time sports psych next year for game itself. really good knowledge of our achieve their objective in you go,’’ Norman said. ‘‘We’ve thousand messages. They were World Cup semi-final but then me. Because of my position in the or grand final until my next Did they accuse you in a meeting the referees. If Cameron Smith He was told by former referees game. They take the mickey and relation to match-fixing,” he had a discussion and he said, vile. I’ve never had that before in ramped up when he became the squad, I had to conform because mistake. Her and I came to the about leaking to the media? Do you played under the pressure of boss Robert Finch in 2003 he had motivate me. There’s always a big said. ‘‘A whole range of methods ‘Do what’s best for you.’ I feel my whole career, even after face of Greenberg’s tough edict to I didn’t want to be the outlier. decision after Origin I that I’m leak to the media? knowing that if he knocked on and to start speaking to players with chunk of Bulldogs supporters and are used by unscrupulous like when I came to Parramatta, Origins and grand finals. When enforce a stricter interpretation of I could’ve easily said, ‘No, I want to done. And since I’ve made that call, “I’ve had private conversations cost his side the game he would more respect or he’d be a linesman they won last weekend. I said, ‘If people to achieve their ends.’’ it was a rebuilding club, and I I got home to Sydney, our house the play-the-ball with more use of referee the way I’ve always wanted my refereeing seems a lot better. with all my coaches and that’s how definitely be dropped the next for the rest of his career. Now, they lose, you won’t see me for a Racing’s former top cop, Ray wouldn’t want to go to another was put on alert. I was picked up the sin-bin when necessary. and the way I’ve been successful’. “I need a long break. Bagging the I want to keep it. I’ve never gone week, what sort of player would he many players tell you he’s the month: I’ll send Brent along’.” Murrihy, one of three rebuilding club. from the airport by the AFP. It was Cecchin blew 33 penalties in the But it would be unfair on the rest of refs – even though a lot of the press outside the referees’ walls and be? I know that if I stuff up enough, referee they respect the most. Cecchin can laugh off this sort of contributors to the report, said ‘‘I’m 28 next year. That’s really, really serious. I don’t like has been complimentary about me, said something I shouldn’t. And noise but his departure should a coordinated national pretty old in football terms. I attention as a referee. I want to do especially after Origin I – it made me that’s the real disappointing send a deeper message to the rest approach was needed. definitely wouldn’t go to a my job without any fuss and then feel like a leper with the squad. thing. Whoever the boss is, the of the game about how we “Inside information can be rebuilding club. But a club that’s leave. The reality is that after that “Bernie met with me before decision is final.” scrutinise our match-day officials. the precursor for the more stable, is going to have good game, and for the first chunk of this Origin I and said I would be in the What if one of the bosses is making “It’s gone too far,’’ Cecchin says. heinous offence of match- seasons and play in the finals.’’ year with all the noise that’s been pocket [in an NRL match] that decisions about his own brother? “How much better could we be if fixing,” said Murrihy. The Eels have big hopes for out there, it’s been tough. Really, weekend, and I left that meeting “Bernie will put the best the environment was a little bit “There would obviously be a 19-year-old Jaemon Salmon, who really tough.” feeling good because I knew why referees in the best game, to make more positive? If a ref could go out broad range of offences and a could debut against the Titans Then he adds this: “Imagine if I didn’t get Origin and what I had him look as good as possible. there knowing he’s got to work broad range of penalties. off the bench, and 18-year-old I got the call wrong?” to do to improve. When it comes to That’s reality.” hard but if he makes a bad call it Telling your family of a former Australian Schoolboys Cecchin will referee his 300th that, I am OK. The problem after Are the refs confused? Being won’t be the end of the world?’’ selection or non-selection may halfback . The NRL game this Sunday when that is the noise. When that noise overloaded with information? Are Not everyone is sad to see him go, be right down at the lowest end, Titans already have AJ Brimson, Penrith play Canberra at Panthers started, and when I started feeling there too many voices in their ear though. A woman approaches him. right through to passing who has been partnering Ash Stadium and it will be one of his ‘Don’t leave the hotel’: Cecchin received death threats after the World Cup bad for Gerry [Sutton] and Ash from the bunker and match-day Controversy: Cecchin lays down the law to Melbourne captain Cameron “Can I have that hoodie when you information to a criminal aspect Taylor in the halves. last. He’ll retire at the end of the semi-final between Tonga and England. Photo: NRL Photos [Klein], that’s when I hit rock coaches? Smith during the round-four match against Cronulla. Photo: NRL Photos piss off to Super League?” she asks. or professional punters.”