It can now be revealed that the bunker officials adjudicating the game on Friday night’s fixture between the Raiders and Sharks were several hours deep into a porn marathon before kickoff even commenced.
Fans may however draw some solace from the revelation as it provides an explanation as to why Bunker officials keep getting it so wrong.
The Surry Hills Times first uncovered the reason behind NRL Bunker officials’ seemingly inexplicable decisions in an article recently.
It would seem the NRL has not taken steps to refocus the officials, rather allowing them to “alleviate pressure” by openly viewing pornography on up to eight screens at a time instead of concentrating on crucial moments in matches they were at the time meant to be governing.
Immortal Andrew Johns has now pleaded with the NRL to take a hard look at officiating in games following the embarrassing incident where a controversial Sione Katoa try was just the beginning in a match that had pundits fuming at the code. Raiders fullback Brad Abbey was then denied a four-pointer following a Joseph Leilua pass, and the Green Machine’s finals hopes went up in smoke. The NRL, once again, were forced to admit their mistake.
Leading 22-18 in the 57th minute, Cronulla scored through Katoa, even though it appeared Jesse Ramien had knocked the ball on the in the lead-up.
Referee Gerard Sutton didn’t blow the whistle, and as touch judge Ricky McFarlane quickly raised his flag before putting it down, suggesting play should be stopped, Raiders players remonstrated in confusion as Katoa strolled through.
The Surry Hills Times recently spent the weekend inside the bunker with the match officials who recognised they were in a highly-pressurised situation and as such saw the importance of releasing the pressure valve from time to time.
Interestingly that pressure was being released during matches.
“It helps us relax and stay focused it’s an intense working environment so part of the trick is to remove yourself from that pressure in any way you can. Paradoxically that’s what helps us stay on the ball.”
“YouPorn, YouJizz, RedTube, PornHub – it’s all part of the job.”
In other instances some officials were conducting Skype calls to friends overseas.
“To be honest some of these games can get really boring,” one official admitted. “Any distractions is welcome relief.”
A bit of light pornography, the odd Skype call two mates overseas a bit of Facebook or Insta. It’s all harmless fun and to be honest it keeps us in the chair.” said another, before falling off it.
Contrary to what you’d think we discovered a group of individuals tightly bonded and in extremely high spirits. This is a group who without question love their job.
“We love coming to work,” one said. “It’s a great bunch of blokes who love what they do. We’ve certainly developed some strong friendships over our time spent in the bunker.”
sht.com can reveal that from its outset NRL Bunker officials were distracted.
