The Wrap - Call A Taxi For The Refs

1. NRL. The video ref has lost the plot. This nonsense re faking high shots and trying to milk penalties is a scourge. James Graham tried. Tom Symonds tried it on. Both should then have been penalised. Simulation like soccer. Maybe we should bring back stretchers and cart them off like the Oman soccer team.

Then go to the punching rule. This is clearly worse than all the other niggle and wrestling crap. Joke.

Now we will have an outbreak of players kicking the ball at a ref on the last tackle...you watch...

2. Players yelling at refs and standing in their faces...this is OUT OF CONTROL. The 30 metre penalty will iron this out. We have given birth to a monster here. What about NFL? "Unsportsmanlike Conduct"..15 metre penalty.....we need to get a grip.

2A. Is it just me or is that black headband with the camera on the ref's head just the most ridiculous thing you have seen? A kickback from The Thunderbirds? Devo?

3. The footy however was superb. The fight and toughness was extraordinary. The patience to fight back when facing a huge deficit has never been this remarkable. Three one point semis. Outstanding. It is just from the 60 minute when the antics begin. Crowds not good enough however!

4. Minichello. Legend and retiring and I never thought I'd ever say it, but he is a liability at present under pressure. He has done some remarkably dumb things. Out of character. Think the final minute v Penrith. Think the dropped bombs. Think the terrible pass in his own in goal. Cowboys intensity was great, but a woeful start. Thurston is the best we have in the game. Class.

5. Nice to see Ennis copping some of his own medicine. Is he a good addition to a new club?

6. AFL. North were hopelessly outgunned. Sydney though will need to amp things up more. They did not need to be as aggressive or scrap. They will v Hawthorn. The Hawks were really strong. However Port were dynamic. An era of excellence awaits them.

7. This Daniel Riccardo is something else. He has been brilliant all year. No excuses or whinging either. Just excellence.

8. Liverpool seem to give others the jump every year. They then play catch up...Chelsea and Man City will fight it out.

9. Can anyone explain this NRC rugby competition with the NSW Country, Perth, Sydney Stars, Melbourne Rising...What possible use does this comp serve? It's all in the wrong order....maybe this first...Super 15 selections from this...then Wallabies? Rugby is an absolute schemozzle.