Personally never liked silverwood, he comes across as an arrogant love muscle.



That said it doesn't bother me that he is ref for the game. Agree with some of the above, I doubt he sits at home all day making voodoo dolls of Leeds players. What will be will be. Don't think he is the best ref available, but equally don't think he will be anti Leeds from past

It'd be easier if I was the ref. I know most of the rules (might have to stop the clock to look a few of the more obscure ones up from time to time, but why rush?) and I'd send Lee Briers off immediately after kick off, for being Lee Briers. I'd sin bin Ryan Atkins for an offensive hairstyle as well. Then if he hadn't shaved it off when he came back on, I'd sin bin him again. Oh, and I'd rule every tacklle that stopped Ryan Bailey illegal, taking the view that if he wasn't tackled he'd have scored each time. Ryan Bailey: 15 carries, 15 penalty tries.



It'd be the greatest refereeing performance in history.



*pictures it*

Can refs have "form"? Do fans seriously follow the "form of refs"?



Deary me today.

I ref football mate and its just like playing. Sometimes you have mare after mare and nothing goes right but when you are on form you are flying

I was struggling to find a suitable word but yes, I think ref's seemingly do go through periods, like players, where they have good and bad patches.



.... and I am sad... but you knew that!

I just got sick in my mouth.

Regardless of who the ref is and what happens, one set of supporters will feel more hard done by than the others. This tends to be the loosing side. Matter of fact is that if we play our socks off like we did against Wigan in the semi-final no referee can change an amazing performance.



I used to really get bothered about refs... usually because when we played bad it was one of the only ways of blame that made me feel better, especially when Ian Smith used to be in the SL. But... It really doesn't matter. The person you need to worry about is the Third Ref that pushes the button between Try or No Try.

Granted not neccessarily but (I presume from your research) if one of the semi-final referees has been awarded the final for the most recent three Challenge Cup finals it was not an unreasonable conclusion to reach when it became four.



The 2008 Ganson appointment I always saw as being somewhat politically motivated after the lifting of the home town bar that season. IIRC Ganson had been a prime mover behind the lifting of the ban, frustrated by St Helens success in reaching finals that he was consequently barred from controlling.



__________



I know it's a bit different in terms of Grand Final appointments (with the rounds following thick and fast) but it's also been the convention under the top 8 format for the final appointment to go to one of the officials from the previous round.

Hmmm, now I have read that back...

It may shock you all, but Silverwood is a Leeds fan. He does seem to be quite harsh with you, but that is probably more overcompensating trying not to favour you than being out to get you.



difficult position to put him in, but as you seem to get to every final (5 of last 6 Grand & Challenge cup final?) and he is one of the better refs it is bound to happen.



I suspect Thaler is loned up for the Grand Final.

Leeds with Silverwood in charge (All Games, All Comps): Played 60, Won 40, Drawn 1, Lost 19 ..... 67.5%

(Sequence W, =#FF0000L, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, =#FF0000L, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, =#FF0000L, W, =#FF0000L, =#FF0000L, =#FF0000L, =#FF0000L, =#FF0000L, =#FF0000L, W, =#FF0000L, W, =#FF0000L, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, =#FF0000L, =#FF0000L, W, =#FF0000L, W, W, W, =#FF0000L, =#FF0000L, W, =#FF0000L, =#0000BFD, W, W, W, W, =#FF0000L, W, W, =#FF0000L)



Leeds with Silverwood in charge in Challenge Cup: Played 7, Won 5, Drawn 0, Lost 2 ..... 71.4%

(Sequence W, W, =#FF0000L, W, W,=#FF0000 L, W)



Leeds V Warrington with Silverwood in charge: Played 5, Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 2 ..... 60%

(Sequence W, W, =#FF0000L, =#FF0000L, W)

And in comparison to the same period with all officials, without which those stats have no value?