Kent backtracks on his praise for refs, plus Slater on trainer-gate
In the latest episode of the Kenty Blitz, Paul Kent has reversed his initial stance on the officiating during Round 20, specifically targeting the manufacturing of "fair" outcomes during on-field confrontations. Kent also addressed the growing scandal surrounding trainer interference and the NRL’s perceived naivety in managing club employees.
Referees manufacturing "two-on-two" results
"I sat here yesterday and I gave Jerry Sutton praise for the way he handled it," Kent admitted, before revealing that new audio evidence had changed his mind. "They showed the audio of Jerry Sutton calling to the bunker. He wanted two-on-two. To go in with a predetermined decision that you want two-on-two and he's waiting for the bunker to tell him which two, that's just bullshit. That is absolute and that is this manufacturing results."
Kent argued that this approach compromises the integrity of the game. "It's these predetermined decisions and these ideas that they're going at to try and make the game seem fair to the uneducated eye that is just frustrating the hell out of fans. Once you're identified as manufacturing results for the good of the competition, you lose public faith."
NRL naivety over "trainer fiasco"
The discussion moved to the ongoing review of trainer conduct, with Kent highlighting the "fiasco" of trainers acting as additional on-field coaches. "It's fascinating that we actually get to a stage where the NRL are almost surprised that this is happening. The trainers are basically running the agendas of the clubs for which they're employed. It's so naive for a competition worth hundreds of millions of dollars not to understand that players and clubs would be pushing every advantage they get."
Kent noted that Billy Slater has been vocal about the issue. "Billy has cut through all the bullshit that the NRL just keeps getting swallowed in. He says they are club employees, they are going to push the advantage as far as they can. It's incumbent on the NRL to stay on top of this."
The "charade" of player hydration
Kent also took aim at the frequent presence of trainers on the field under the guise of player welfare. "This is where the coaches have bluffed the game. They sit there and they want to talk about player welfare. We need trainers on there, they need to be hydrated. These guys are professional athletes. These guys could all walk over to a sideline if they are thirsty and get a drink. It's ridiculous when you put it like that. The fact is it is not necessary."
He suggested that coaches use these stoppages to combat the one thing they cannot control: "The one thing, doesn't matter how good a coach you are, the one thing you cannot coach against is fatigue. Coaches are always agitating for more stoppages and more breaks in play. This sort of marries into that. I'll send a trainer on, he'll tell them guys we need to start doing this."
Concerns for Jake Trbojevic's future
The episode concluded with a serious discussion regarding Manly captain Jake Trbojevic following his third concussion of the season. "I'm worried. I worry about him," Kent said. "He's had three bad concussions this year. That's a lot in one season. Every person I know has been young and invincible, but at some point that warrior mentality inside you leaves. I'm not going to tell him retire, but I just think he's just, I would spend the off-season really just having, getting examined properly."
Kent highlighted a poignant moment between the Trbojevic brothers after the latest incident. "Jake was temporarily confused. When you get knocked out you don't remember the incident itself. Sometimes your urge is to say, 'Look hey leave me alone I'm okay.' That's when Tom said to him, 'Mate go off.' It was a really lovely moment between two brothers, but from a very serious situation."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0jS4DmUDIU
