THE SYDNEY 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 Corey Norman’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 rugby league 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.