1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,600 Speaker 1: Welcome to three sixty Rubbling from every angle. Whats to 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 1: you by the new Ranger plugging highbrid Joining me the 3 00:00:04,800 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: Great Gordon Tellas. It's been the journals in buzz Rothfield 4 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:10,560 Speaker 1: read and we have a very special guest, the CEO 5 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: of the NRL, Andrew Abdo. Thanks for joining us. It's 6 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: been a busy weekend for you, as. 7 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 2: It's been a busy couple of days. 8 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:20,479 Speaker 1: I appreciate you coming on. What's when the NAL's driving 9 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: or approach or driving force to this crackdown with the 10 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:25,240 Speaker 1: head eyes. 11 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 2: Let me first say it hasn't been a crack time 12 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 2: at all. There's been an policy shift. It's been the game. 13 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:33,559 Speaker 2: It's always been illegal to tackle high, and we've been 14 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 2: sinbinning and penalizing high tackles for the game going back decades, 15 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 2: and we've been really consistent around this the last couple 16 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 2: of years. We're not going to apologize or take a 17 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: backwards step for protecting players from head high shots. However, 18 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 2: what I will say is that we've seen a couple 19 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:49,599 Speaker 2: of errors. We've seen a couple of judgment calls that 20 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 2: perhaps weren't correct, and it was important to acknowledge that 21 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 2: take acountability for that, and we'll adjust and hopefully we'll 22 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 2: see improvements now week in the weeks of follow. 23 00:00:57,800 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 3: So do you think that you got it wrong on 24 00:00:59,240 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 3: the weekend. 25 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 2: I think there were some calls that we're wrong, and look, 26 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 2: and we understand some of the frustration, particularly when the 27 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 2: bunker intervenes in play a number of plays down the track. 28 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 2: We can understand why this frustration with that. The bath 29 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 2: of that was always intended to be quite high. It 30 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 2: needs to be serious or significant file play for the 31 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 2: bunker to intervene and to brn someone once the player 32 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:22,319 Speaker 2: has moved on. That's something that we want to work 33 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 2: on with the referees. 34 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 4: How do we get that balance between the bunker and 35 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:27,960 Speaker 4: the referee? I think, oh, okay, if the referee does 36 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 4: miss it, I don't like them going back three or 37 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:33,120 Speaker 4: four tackles only on the scoring opportunity, of course, how 38 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 4: do we get the balance? 39 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, no one likes it. I think a good example 40 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:38,760 Speaker 2: of that is that interplay between the on field referee 41 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 2: and the banker is the way we work around trials. 42 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 2: So yeah, we back the on field referee to make 43 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 2: the call and it's checked in the background by the 44 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 2: bunker and it works really well. It's quick and they'll 45 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 2: only intervene if it's an obvious no try. I think 46 00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 2: we need to think about how we empower the referees 47 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 2: on field more. Of course, we have technology, we need 48 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 2: to use it. But what we don't want is the 49 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 2: play coming back, as I've said, and I think that's 50 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 2: reserved for a really serious, significant foul play, and it's 51 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 2: probably been overused in the last couple of weeks. 52 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 4: I think it was about eighteen was eighteen sin beIN. 53 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:13,080 Speaker 4: Are we seeing more head eyes? Are other players that 54 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 4: ill disciplined. 55 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 2: We've definitely seen an increase in head high tackles this 56 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 2: season so this time last year, so up to round eight, 57 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 2: we had about two hundred head high tackles. This year 58 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:26,119 Speaker 2: we've had about three hum and seventy nine. So we've 59 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 2: seen an increase, but it's different for each team. So 60 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 2: some of the players and some of the teams are 61 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 2: adapting better than others. It's some teams that haven't had 62 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:35,960 Speaker 2: a sin been for a headhigh tackle this season. Some 63 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 2: teams have only given away three penalties, others significantly more 64 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:41,919 Speaker 2: than that. So there's quite a lot of inconsistency around 65 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 2: the way in which the players have been really disciplined 66 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 2: about it. Now, we understand that from time to time 67 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 2: there will be mitigation, and again we want to make 68 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 2: sure that the referees are empowered to act. They're looking 69 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 2: for specific things, they're looking for force, but they're also 70 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 2: looking for mitigation and they get those calls right. And 71 00:02:57,639 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 2: this weekend there were some errors where that mitigation wasn't applied. 72 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 2: And it goes both ways. 73 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 5: Andrew challenge you on saying there's been a crackdown, and 74 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 5: I take your point that you're suggesting there's been more 75 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 5: head high tackles this year. I think the forty is 76 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,120 Speaker 5: very similar to what it was last year. And the 77 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,519 Speaker 5: bottom line is and the statistics don't lie here. Sin 78 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 5: bins are up one hundred and forty percent, reports are 79 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 5: up seventy five percent. 80 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 3: And I hope you do understand. 81 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:32,359 Speaker 5: And look, I can totally understand you coming in here 82 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 5: defending the people who work for you, but there is 83 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 5: massive fan outrage out there about the officiating in the 84 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 5: game around the sin bennings, and people think it is 85 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 5: a crackdown. 86 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 3: Yeah. 87 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 2: Well, as I referred to earlier as the this is 88 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 2: not about me being defensivele coming here saying there's. 89 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 3: Nothing, but I understand you. 90 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, taking accountability for that. But coming back to 91 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 2: your stats, but what I'm saying is over a ninety 92 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 2: percent increase in the number of high tackles, and we're 93 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: seeing a lot of inconsistency between the clubs as well, 94 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 2: which means that I honestly believe there's a collective effort 95 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 2: that's required yet, and the accountability does sit with the game, 96 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 2: it does it with the officials too, but we also 97 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:16,839 Speaker 2: need everyone to pull together and make sure that we 98 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 2: don't see a situation where we see like we saw 99 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 2: this weekend, a huge number of sinments. None of us 100 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:23,800 Speaker 2: want to see penalties. None of us want to see 101 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 2: sin bens. None of us want to see head ye 102 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 2: tackles either. So there's a collective effort, yet did they Sorry? 103 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 1: I think the players did it to take accountability. But 104 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:33,480 Speaker 1: my concern is around these too, is that there were 105 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 1: a number of penalties on the weekend for high contact 106 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: when the players didn't even make eigh contact, which to 107 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 1: me suggests that the referees. 108 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 3: Are really looking for it. 109 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 1: They're looking to blow the penalties for high contact when, 110 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 1: as I said, there was at least two or three 111 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: where there really wasn't much at all, if any. 112 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm not going to disagree with you. You know, 113 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 2: I've already said that I think there were a number 114 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,840 Speaker 2: of errors in applying the decision tree for what constitutes 115 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 2: even potentially what constitutes the penalty. So we want to 116 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 2: support the referees make sure that they are using the 117 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 2: indicators as a guideline. You know, there's things to look 118 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 2: for in mitigation, and I think that needs to be 119 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:15,280 Speaker 2: taken into account. Similarly, with level of force, we want 120 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 2: to make sure that it's significant level of force and 121 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 2: there's no mitigation before we go to burn. And I 122 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 2: completely agree that there were a number of calls that 123 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 2: should not have been a symbin equally, there were a 124 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 2: few calls that weren't be that probably should have been 125 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 2: as well. So it goes both ways, and we want 126 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 2: to keep getting better. 127 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 6: The great concerns that Magic Ground's going to be ruined 128 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 6: by this. What assurances can you give the fans that 129 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 6: that won't happen? 130 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 2: Well, I mean I can never give insurances on anything, really, 131 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 2: That's part of why we love professional sport, right, But 132 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 2: what I can say is that we have listened, I 133 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 2: can say that we review each and every match, each 134 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 2: and every round, and we've looked at some of the 135 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,000 Speaker 2: errors that occurred this weekend and we want to make 136 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 2: sure that they don't get repeated. So I think that 137 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 2: what you're going to see is definitely less intervention from 138 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 2: the banker when play has moved on. Their threshold is 139 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:04,200 Speaker 2: really high, and I think you're going to see the 140 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 2: referees applying mitigation more effectively. 141 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 3: So is that gone now? 142 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 1: They won't come into play now the bunker, Well, only 143 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: a few plays like this. 144 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:18,839 Speaker 2: Only if it's significant, a serious fireplay. So is that 145 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 2: could be anguse in my era? But I've been re 146 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:24,719 Speaker 2: typed for twenty years like if you went to the 147 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 2: sin bin, you were sort of close to getting sent 148 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 2: off or you're going to be suspended now yeah, it's 149 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 2: it's yeah, I agree. And what we're saying is that 150 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 2: buy is really high. So it's going to be a 151 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:40,040 Speaker 2: serious actor fire play, not necessarily a sendoff, but it's 152 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 2: going to be something that warrants play going back and 153 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:44,280 Speaker 2: now they play meanin Andrew. 154 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,839 Speaker 5: I actually think the referees are doing a pretty good 155 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:50,359 Speaker 5: job and they are not the problem in the game. 156 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 3: I think the bunker is and. 157 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 5: The inconsistency there and different venues, different games, different interpretations. 158 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 5: What can you do to get a higher level of consistency? 159 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 3: The refs the speed. 160 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 5: Of the game, and they can't make these they need 161 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 5: those people with the high definition screens and slow mail 162 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 5: to make. 163 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 2: How can you improve that? Well, first of all, I 164 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 2: agree with you. I think the on field refs and 165 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 2: the referees in general do a great job. I mean, 166 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 2: we've had a fantastic season. Let's not lose sight of 167 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 2: the fact that the game, the level of football, the players, 168 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 2: the teams, and the referees contribute to that has been phenomenal. 169 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,440 Speaker 2: We've got a game where any given day anyone can win. 170 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 2: The game is incredibly fast and entertaining. And I agree 171 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 2: with you, But is that the use of bunker technology? 172 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 2: There are ways in which we can strive for will 173 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 2: never get full consistency because every tackle is different, every 174 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 2: tackle is different, and ultimately, even though they have technologies, 175 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 2: they're humans making judgment calls right in real time with 176 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 2: a lot of pressure on them. But we can get better, 177 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 2: and I think more specialization that in that role of 178 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 2: using technology and better to play between the on field 179 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 2: and the banker and and the game providing more clarity 180 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 2: around their parameters for what they can and quintrule on. 181 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 2: So I think it's a combination of many things. 182 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 6: There's a simple Andrews using less people in the bunker 183 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 6: and they've reduced then you use. I think it's the 184 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 6: four you use now in the bunker. 185 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 3: Is that wrong? 186 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 2: It depends on the weekend we are. We are using 187 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 2: less and trying to get more consistency and who is 188 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 2: in that role. But it's not that easy. Obviously, we've 189 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 2: you know, we have eight games every weekend. 190 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 6: Could you have specialist bunker officials? Is that a way 191 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 6: you could? 192 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 2: Path could potentially and the Commission, you know, to their credit, 193 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 2: pointed this out a while back around the need for 194 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 2: us to provide specialization both in terms of training support 195 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,320 Speaker 2: and also the officials in there. And I think that 196 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 2: is the way we're heading. So we are starting to 197 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 2: see us using less and less officials in the bunker 198 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 2: to hopefully get that, you know, striving for that more 199 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 2: more consistent approach to how things are judicated and do. 200 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 4: What's the feedback from the clubs or the coaches, is 201 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 4: it the speed of the game. 202 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 2: Is there more fatigued? Are they frustrated with this? Well? 203 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 2: I think I mean everyone is frustrated by sermons because 204 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 2: they do impact the game. There's no we're not getting 205 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 2: any specific feedback, Gordy, from the clubs or the players 206 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 2: on any one particular element. You know, we have we 207 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 2: kept the rules the same this year. They've been pretty 208 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 2: consistent the last two or three seasons. The speed of 209 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 2: the game from year to year hasn't changed moved much. 210 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 2: The ball in play, elapsed time play, the ball speed 211 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 2: is pretty consistent year and year. But we have just 212 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 2: seen this this increase in head art tackles and we 213 00:09:28,679 --> 00:09:30,840 Speaker 2: hope that it's just something that will that will phase 214 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 2: up pretty quickly. 215 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:33,760 Speaker 1: How does the endal determine? This is a tough one, 216 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 1: the low, moderate and high force. 217 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:39,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's a judgment call, right, but there's some 218 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:42,679 Speaker 2: indicators there to help support the referee in making that 219 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 2: core particularly the referee and the banker. 220 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 3: And what you're looking. 221 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 2: For is you're looking for things like the speed of 222 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 2: the defender, the speed of the attacker. You're looking for 223 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 2: head movement, and we're blash, you're looking for a player 224 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 2: launching forward or perhaps being off both feet. All of 225 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 2: these indicators. There are tools available to help ultimately make 226 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:02,439 Speaker 2: a judgment, call under pressure at speed and make a 227 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 2: determination foul play. 228 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 5: And there was another incident on the weekend. Topreneur Bulldogs 229 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 5: lifted his knee and attack. Terrible incident. Lucky who didn't 230 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 5: break a jaw. He gets two weeks the match review 231 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:18,959 Speaker 5: committee grade. He gets two weeks, So I think that's insufficient. 232 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:23,679 Speaker 5: I'm wondering if harsher panelies match review or judiciary would 233 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 5: be a bigger deterrent. 234 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 3: You're saying this a record number of high tackles. 235 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 5: For coaches to emphasize more to their players, you've got 236 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:36,680 Speaker 5: to redirect your heads. And if they're facing a month 237 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 5: on the they used to in the old days when 238 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 5: there was a problem. 239 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:41,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it is. You would think, you know, 240 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:43,960 Speaker 2: time out of the game, losing a play in a game, 241 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 2: losing a player for a number of weeks afterwards is 242 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 2: a big deterrence. But we're talking earlier about this, and 243 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 2: I want to reemphasize that some of the players and 244 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 2: some of the teams are doing this really well, have 245 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 2: adapted incredibly well, and have very very low coalds of symboms. 246 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:01,840 Speaker 2: Some teams haven't had any yet. Some teams have had 247 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 2: very very low levels of penalties for high tackles. So 248 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 2: we've seen some teams adapt and be a lot more disciplined, 249 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 2: and I think that they will be at a significant 250 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 2: advantage because again, while you know, we're not going to 251 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:16,719 Speaker 2: take a backward step one player safety, we can get 252 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:19,319 Speaker 2: better in eliminating some of these errors, and we want 253 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 2: to make sure that we catch all the important ones. 254 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 2: But ultimately the teams that adapt are going to do 255 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 2: better over the course of the season. 256 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:31,599 Speaker 1: Andrew Symbin's the solution even you said that it is 257 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:33,960 Speaker 1: hurt in the game and the spectacle to it. Agree, 258 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,439 Speaker 1: should we leave it more to the MRC or is 259 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 1: there a different solutions? 260 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 2: Look, there's always there's always ways in which we can 261 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,079 Speaker 2: think about getting better and finding different solutions, and that 262 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 2: will happen. We do this at the end of every season, 263 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 2: where we obviously consult with everyone in the game and 264 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 2: those that have great experience to contribute to ways in 265 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 2: which we can come up with solutions. But you know, 266 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 2: I think any contact sport has to have accountability in 267 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 2: the game for various file play and losing a player. 268 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:05,680 Speaker 2: I don't see our sport moving away from the impact 269 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 2: of that. Take for instance, we're talking a lot about 270 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 2: a player who's been but what about the player who's 271 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,679 Speaker 2: hit high illegally gets taken off for the head injury assessment, 272 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 2: is out of the game for fifteen minutes, That team 273 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 2: has lost that player. I think there needs to be 274 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:23,560 Speaker 2: a counterbalance and a disincentive to file play. So it's 275 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 2: not getting that by right of. 276 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: Course, And the responsibility is for the player and the 277 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:30,000 Speaker 1: coaches as well. So what accountability do they need to 278 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: take and. 279 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:32,440 Speaker 3: Do they need to work harder on what they do? 280 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:34,439 Speaker 2: I think it's a collective effort. I mean, I think 281 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:36,120 Speaker 2: we obviously need to do our bit to make sure 282 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,960 Speaker 2: that this clarity, and the referees to make sure that 283 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 2: they're applying it consistently, and the communication, the feedback back 284 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 2: to the teams, the clubs and the players. It's a 285 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 2: collective effort. And you know, ultimately, we don't really want 286 00:12:47,920 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 2: to be talking about this. We don't when you're talking 287 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 2: about officials and we're talking about administrators. We're talking about 288 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 2: the footy, and again we've had some unbelievable games, and 289 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 2: I think we're going to have a cracking weekend. 290 00:12:56,440 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 5: So this morning, Andrew las Vegas for you Freemont Street. Yeah, well, 291 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 5: you know, I identified a few issues that needed to 292 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 5: be addressed, I thought, but it just seemed so long ago. 293 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 5: And I hate seeing or getting so many text messages 294 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:21,199 Speaker 5: over the weekend from disgruntled fans. And I hated listening 295 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 5: to Joey John's yesterday and Immortal of the game speaking 296 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 5: the manner in which he did, And I really really 297 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 5: do hate you can fix it the magic we can. 298 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 2: I just say that we get it, like we know, 299 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 2: we're not tone deaf, and we understand the frustration, and 300 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 2: we'll continue to work on it. My point is just 301 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 2: it's a it's a collective accountability and safety is important. 302 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 6: If d Wayne had an idea in the I think 303 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 6: it was wayn Bennett's idea in the preseason where if 304 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 6: you hit someone high the player with wife for hi, 305 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,559 Speaker 6: I think if they stayed off, then the player committed 306 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 6: the act. Then I have to go on the sin bin. 307 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,160 Speaker 6: Why wasn't that that was trialed? I think of the preseason? 308 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 3: Is that right? 309 00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:58,959 Speaker 2: Yeah, we to try the preseason. That'll be reviewed and 310 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 2: looked at it at the end of this season. You know, 311 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 2: there's there's pros and coins to any system Brent like, 312 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 2: And I suppose one of the things is that we 313 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 2: need to consider is not all tackles result in an injury. 314 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 2: It's more about the risk of the injury. Sometimes you 315 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:16,319 Speaker 2: can get lucky, and you can have a terrible actor 316 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:19,359 Speaker 2: file play and the player just gets up and is unscathed. 317 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 2: Sometimes it's a fairly innocious thing. So I think it's 318 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 2: more about the risk of injury than the actual injury. 319 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,240 Speaker 2: But you know, I understand that we need to think 320 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 2: about different ways of taking this problem before we let 321 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 2: the CEO go. 322 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 3: You two have got anything else for. 323 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 5: I'd like to ask about the playing schedule. I don't 324 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 5: think it's fair for a number of reasons. And I 325 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 5: said this Wrning six clubs don't have any five day turnarounds. 326 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 5: Corral and Bridsbane have three rehab after forty games. Is 327 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 5: so important, and you know you can get a longer break, 328 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 5: you get an advantage. And I don't cop these double 329 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:04,600 Speaker 5: up games. So many double ups in the first ten weeks, 330 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 5: that's all I've got to winch about. 331 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 2: So it's a fair like it's a fair comment. A 332 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 2: couple of things. One is the draw in the schedule 333 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,200 Speaker 2: is one of the most complex things that we do. 334 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 2: And one number two, yeah, it's not created equal for everyone. 335 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 2: Certainly some teams travel more than others. The five day turnarounds. 336 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 2: The stadium availability also importantly buzz and sometimes the fans 337 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 2: don't realize that we're also working hard to provide, for example, 338 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 2: Saturday afternoon forty or Sunday afternoon forty for teams, so 339 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 2: they're not just playing on Thursday nights or Friday nights. 340 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 2: So there's a range of factors in there. But what 341 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 2: I will say is we do need to get better 342 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 2: at it. With the advent of artificial intelligence and technology, 343 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 2: I think we're going to see improvements going forward. And 344 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 2: I think expansion and moving to eighteen teams and beyond 345 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 2: provides us an opportunity to look at the season structure 346 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 2: differently in apps perhaps be able to tackle the fixtureless 347 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 2: in a better way than we've done in previous years. 348 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:05,000 Speaker 6: You mentioned expansion, I've got to ask you about Perth, 349 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 6: the Perth Bears or for Wa Bears. What are they 350 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 6: going to be called? 351 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:09,720 Speaker 2: When do you think you be in positioned to. 352 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 6: Announce that formally announced something. 353 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 2: I don't know when we'll be we'll be in a 354 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 2: position to finalize it and have a formula on us, 355 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 2: but it is exciting that we are talking about expansion 356 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 2: and clearly Western Australia is a great market for us. 357 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 2: You know, when the Western reads were firing, we had 358 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 2: fifteen sixteen thousand REGIS participants, So it's a great opportunity 359 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 2: for us in terms of a national bluebrind very exciting 360 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 2: opportunity and hopefully we were able to finalize something that 361 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 2: adds a lot of dage the game. The business case 362 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 2: stacks up and we're certainly heading in the right direction. 363 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 3: Well, Andrew, we really appreciate you coming in. 364 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 1: You shown great leadership again, taking this head on and 365 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 1: coming in face to face, giving us great clarification on. 366 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 3: A number of issues in our game. So we appreciate it. 367 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 1: No problem, Thank you, all right, and you played buzz 368 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: off for a break too.