On other occasions it's looked to me as if a ref daren't give a try without referring it to the VR. Some happy medium is what I want to see.

It was a failing of Cummings and the RFL that they did not communicate with supporters about the move to make refs fully professional and to clarify the weekly contentious decisions in the media. From what I hear Cummings did precious little communication with coaches either so it's no wonder standards slipped.

Despite all that I think we need to recognise that it's a hard job. Coaches are forever making it harder for refs with their concentration on the ruck area and it must be a nightmare to police that in some games. Players are often trying as hard to win a penalty as they are to win the game.

What we need is a partnership between all parties to move the game forwards. I'd like to see fewer rule changes each season especially those which are massively open to interpretation. I'd consult with all but be careful to keep a balance. The last time coaches got too much of a say we had the unlimited interchange.

Agreed

Why bother with video refs?
Yes have it referred to the Video but let the man in the middle make the deciosn without having to rely on the VR.
I would also use the video for what looks like a high shot and stop putting incidents on report.
Let the man in the middle grow a pair and stand up and be counted for his decisions.

This. VR's are only available for some matches so refs have to be able to make a decision and back their judgement.
Referees controller, referees and clubs need to work together to improve both standards and the games image. Unfortunately when these have their own agendas then it becomes more difficult.

Leeds received eight while conceding sixteen - making a total of twenty-four. Not sure the spectacle, such as it was, could cope with an even higher count than that. Is that what McDermott is asking for here?

__________

Some posters have mentioned the two penalties conceded immediately after the interval. Spare a thought for the official trying again to set the standard early and get the game moving after a pretty turgid opening forty minutes. IMO he waited too long to issue the official warning or use the sin-bin for offences that occurred after it - choosing even to ignore some rather than penalise knowing it would inevitably incur a yellow card and further unbalance the contest. He even had to remind the Leeds captain that the warning was still in place even after Bailey was dismissed.

It's too easy to blame the official trying to get a flowing game on when the players (presumably under instruction) are out to spoil and slow the game down to a standstill.

The Penalty count was a fair reflection of what went on during the game - Leeds found a way of strangling the life out of the Catalans, thats Rugby League, the fact that Thaler hammered Leeds shouldn't even be debated.

What should is how miserable the performance of table topping Catalans actually was, no game plan, no structure beyond hammering it down the middle all night.

I hate to say it but at this moment in time Leeds can play when they like and how they like and I wouldn't bet against them winning the GF again in October - the competition just isn't there, great if you support Leeds, not so great if you support the need for ESL to evolve and the home Nations to compete at International level with the likes of Australia and NZ.

I just keep hoping to see a game where Leeds aren't correctly penalised for high shots or late, off the ball incidents.
It grieves me to see my team reinforcing the claims of opposition fans that we're a dirty team.
I can accept most calls, it's legitimate IMV to go as far as they can to slow down the PTB, not by sticking hands in, but by getting 3 & 4 men in the tackle.
That will on occasions be penalised as will holding players up & pushing them back or into touch.
But more often than not if players make a "reasonable" attempt to get off the tackled player or stop shoving they will be ok.

What I noticed on Monday was the amount of times the Catalan players moved away from the mark where the tackle took place.
This either resulted in Leeds messing about at the play the ball or not standing square when the ball was played.
At one time refs used to pull the man playing the ball up for that discretion.

Catalans players are the worst for moving off the mark, and we conceded a few penalties because of it