Who is rugby league’s greatest referee? There have been many contenders over the years: George Bishop, Darcy Lawler, Keith Page, Mick Stone, Gary Cook and Greg Hartley. But for mine, it’s between Col Pearce or Bill Harrigan. Born 43 years apart, they were so different in so many ways. But where it counted on the paddock, they were both top-shelf whistlers. Pearce – very calm, very polite, very methodical – refereed 343 games between 1947 and 1968, with six grand finals and nine Tests. Harrigan – very flamboyant, very controversial, very flexible – refereed 392 games from 1986 to 2003, with 10 grand finals, 21 Origins and 25 Tests. All records. Chalk and cheese alright, but both earned the respect of the players – the ultimate litmus test. But Pearce had the more interesting career, highlighted by the world record 11 successive premierships by the Dragons from 1956 to 1966. Pearce refereed them right through their reign, including the 1964, 65, and 66 grand finals. That domination prompted a major change from unlimited tackles to the four-tackle rule to stop the Dragons owning the ball for most of the 80 minutes. It was a culture shock for every player, referee, and fan, but the move proved successful. The Dragons didn’t win another premiership for eight years. Four clubs – Manly, Souths, Balmain, and Easts – shared the spoils in that period. Pearce also refereed in an era of no Sunday play. The match-of-the-day was always at the SCG – St George virtually lived there – and the media coverage was just a fraction of what it is today. The four-tackle rule became six in 1972, and Origin kicked off in 1980, both before Harrigan began his stellar career. Pearce was a regular on Rex Mossop’s famous “Controversy Corner” panel every Sunday on Channel 7, with Ferris Ashton, Noel Kelly, and SMH chief league writer Alan Clarkson, was an expert commentator on 2UE, and a Sydney Morning Herald columnist. But to give Harrigan his credit, he was among those who were instrumental in Origin becoming the showpiece of rugby league, outstripping the premiership and internationals for media and fan interest, even though it’s only three games a season. But both gave sterling service over long periods to the 13-man code as referees. The best? Col Pearce by a whisker in a photo finish. By David Lord, www.theroar.com.au – 28 September 2011. Welcome In October 2012 I was on holidays from a long winter rugby league season and was looking forward to what I perceived would be a well-earned rest. Fast forward 12 months and I have had the privilege of working with a resilient, motivated group of match officials. I have spoken to many people over the course of the year explaining the style of person that undertakes this understated and undervalued role in rugby league. To be honest, I’m not sure I can pigeon hole any one style. The fraternity of match officials is certainly unique in their make-up but I have never had any concern of their application to their craft. I have developed a genuine respect for part time and full time match officials who rival any other rugby league group for their love of the game. To be invisible but relevant on a rugby league field with up to 14 cameras is hard to come by but nevertheless remains a weekly quest. Congratulations must go to our ‘milestone’ achievers of 2013. Whether it is your debut, 50 or 100, these are to be remembered and celebrated. A special note to the new members of the ‘300 Club’. Steve Carrall now holds the NRL touch judge career caps of 331 and rising as well as Shayne Hayne with 303 NRL refereeing appearances and Russell Turner with 322 NRL touch judge caps. Congratulations to all award recipients tonight and our 2013 Rugby League World Cup representatives Shayne Hayne, Ben Cummins, Ashley Klein and Grant Atkins. Congratulations also to Henry Perenara who will represent New Zealand in the 2013 RLWC. Thank you to all members of the Elite Refereeing ranks for their effort and performance. Special mention to Todd Greenberg, Nathan McGuirk, Tony Archer, Russell Smith, Don Stuart, Cam Black, Michelle Minichiello, Bernie Sutton and Steve Chiddy for their contribution. Rugby League at the professional level will bring plenty of everything in 2014 but plans are in place for the match officials to make further improvements again. Enjoy your break Daniel Anderson 2013 Match day officials: No. Name No. Name 4 Steve Clark 100 Rickey McFarlane 5 Steve Chiddy 101 Ashley Klein 6 Paul Simpkins 102 Adam Reid 7 Sean Hampstead 103 Grant Atkins 34 Chris Ward 104 Gavin Morris 52 Matt Cecchin 105 Luke Phillips 55 Shayne Hayne 106 Henry Perenara 58 Steve Carrall 107 David Munro 64 Russell Turner 108 Adam Gee 69 Paul Holland 109 Michael Wise 70 Gerard Sutton 110 Clayton Sharpe 71 Gavin Badger 112 Chris Butler 72 Jeff Younis 113 Paul Mellor 73 Jason Robinson 115 Shane Rehm 79 Ben Cummins 116 Peter Gough 80 Brendan Wood 117 Nick Beashel 85 Jason Walsh 118 Dave Ryan 87 Alan Shortall 119 Jay Farlow 89 Jared Maxwell 120 Neil Wharton 92 Chris James 121 Luke Patten 93 Adam Devcich 122 Justin Morgan 94 Bernard Sutton 123 Matthew Rodwell 95 Brett Suttor 124 Matthew Noyen 96 Phil Haines 125 Tony Maksoud 97 Daniel Eastwood 126 Reece Williams 98 Gavin Reynolds 127 Chris Sutton 99 Luke Potter Coaching, training and support staff Referees Elite Performance Manager: Daniel Anderson Assistant Referee NYC Referees Touch Judge coaches: coach: coach: Russell Smith Tony Archer Bernard Sutton Steve Chiddy Ref eree Operations Manager: Don Stuart Training & conditioning staff: Cameron Black Tom Wilson Michelle Minichiello Performance Manager Strength & conditioning Physiotherapist 2013 National Rugby League Referees’ squad Award recipients Col Pearce Medal: “Awarded to the most consistent and best-performed referee throughout the full 26 competition rounds and representative season .” 2004 Tim Mander 2005 Paul Simpkins 2006 Steve Clark 2007 Tony Archer 2008 Tony Archer 2009 Shayne Hayne 2010 Tony Archer 2011 Shayne Hayne 2012 Ben Cummins 2012 Col Pearce Medal Winner, Ben Cummins with May Pearce 2013 Shayne Hayne Clubman of the year: “Awarded to any squad or management member who contributes to the enhancement of the NRL squad through their commitment and dedication, internally and externally.” 2003 Tony Archer 2004 Jason Robinson 2005 Paul Kalina 2006 Steve Nash 2007 Michael Stone 2008 Klinton Hoare 2009 Ben Cummins 2010 Russell Smith 2011 Gavin Badger 2012 Allan Shortall 2013 Reece Williams Rookie of the year: “Awarded to any official with minimal experience in previous years, where they excelled within the current season” 2006 Ben Cummins 2008 Alan Shortall 2010 Ricky McFarlane 2011 Adam Devcich 2012 Gavin Morris 2013 Chris Butler Touch Judge of the year: “Awarded to the most consistent and best performed Touch Judge through 26 rounds and the representative season” 2010 Paul Holland 2011 Daniel Eastwood 2012 Russell Turner 2013 Russell Turner Referees’ Referee Award: “Awarded to the squad member who contributes the most to the squad on and off the field. Voted by the squad members.” 2008 Jason Robinson 2009 Bernard Sutton 2010 Gerard Sutton 2011 Ben Cummins 2012 Ben Cummins 2013 Shayne Hayne Grand Final appointments We congratulate the following NRL members for their success at the conclusion of the 2013 NRL season: 2013 National Rugby League Grand Final Referees: Shayne Hayne & Ben Cummins Touch Judges: Russell Turner & Steve Carrall Video Referees: Ashley Klein & Luke Patten Standby Officials: Gerard Sutton & Grant Atkins 2013 Holden Cup Grand Final Referees: Chris Butler & Dave Munro Touch Judges: Rickey McFarlane & Jason Walsh Video Referee: Luke Phillips Standby Official: Chris Sutton End of 2012 major fixtures: The 2012 Col Pearce Medal was presented prior to the conclusion of the 2012 season. The Grand Final teams from last season are acknowledged below: 2012 National Rugby League Grand Final Referees: Ben Cummins & Tony Archer Touch Judges: Russell Turner & Paul Holland Video Referees: Chris Ward & Shayne Hayne 2012 Toyota Cup Grand Final Referee: Grant Atkins Touch Judges: Chris Butler & Dave Ryan 2012 Post-season Test Match – Australia vs New Zealand Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Referee: Ben Cummins Touch Judges: Russell Turner & Anthony Eliot (NZ) Video Referee: Paul Simpkins 2013 Debutantes – Welcome to First Grade : #120 - Neil Wharton Former Queensland Rugby League player & coach Video Referee debut in Round 1, Brisbane vs Manly #121 - Luke Patten Former National Rugby League ex-player Video Referee debut in Round 1, Bulldogs vs Cowboys #122 - Justin Morgan Former First Grade player & Super League coach Video Referee debut in Round 1, Melbourne vs St George #123 - Matthew Rodwell Former First Grade player Video Referee debut in Round 2, Rabbitohs vs Sharks #124 - Matt Noyen NSW Rugby League Referee Touch Judge debut in Round 3, Roosters vs Broncos #125 - Tony Maksoud Former Queensland Rugby League & ARL referee Video Referee debut in Round 3, Titans vs Sea Eagles #126 - Reece Williams Former First Grade player & NSW Rugby League referee Video Referee debut in Round 4, Warriors vs Cowboys Touch Judge debut in Round 26, Raiders vs Sharks #127 - Chris Sutton NSW Rugby League referee Touch Judge debut in Round 20, Dragons vs Raiders Retirements The following squad members retired prior to the start of the 2013 NRL season. We acknowledge their service and thank them for their contribution: # 29 - Phil Cooley NRL Touch Judge debut Round 1, 1998 (Inaugural NRL round) 30 ARL Central Referee appointments 194 NRL Touch Judge appointments