Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
Brett Finch: Blame Bob Fulton, not my dad
By James Phelps | July 01, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23948164-5006066,00.html
THE man who became a NSW hero after kicking a State of Origin match-winning field goal in 2006 last night took aim at one of rugby league's most powerful men - and it was all in the name of the father.
In an extraordinary spray, former Blues star Brett Finch yesterday called for Bob Fulton to be sacked as a NSW selector if they lose the series after the rugby league Immortal accused his father - referees' boss Robert Finch - of "attempting to change the face of Origin".
An emotional Finch took the unusual step of calling The Daily Telegraph to defend his father after the Manly great said Robert failed to inform NSW of changes to rule interpretations before State of Origin II.
"It is very ordinary," Finch said of Fulton's comments. "It is very personal because he is my dad. What he is accusing my father of is just a disgrace.
"He is basically saying my father isn't good at his job.
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"My opinion is he got it wrong (as a selector) in 2006 and 2007 and if the Blues don't win on Wednesday night, then he has gotten it wrong three years in a row. In my opinion he is not good at his job."
The Eels No. 7 said Fulton should stand down as a NSW selector if the Blues lose tomorrow night's State of Origin decider at ANZ Stadium.
"What he said is just embarrassing," Finch said.
"I am very upset because it is my father.
"And to come from someone like Bob Fulton . . . he is a selector for NSW. Maybe if NSW don't win on Wednesday night then he should be sacked, because he hasn't picked the right team for three years."
Brett, who was in contention for a Blues jersey this year, said his controversial comments could "ruin" his representative career.
"It has probably ruined my representative career but I couldn't give a rat's a...," Finch said.
"It was just too personal.
"Fulton said nothing when they won in the first game. Now he is blowing up because they lost the second.
"What is embarrassing is Fulton coming up with these comments.
"He should just worry about doing his job because he hasn't been able to do his job for the last two years."
Fulton last night stood by his comments made in yesterday's Daily Telegraph."What Brett has to understand is his father has the highest profile refereeing job in the country," Fulton said. "I think it is admirable but embarrassing that he (Brett) has gone into bat for his old man.
"Brett really does need to be realistic in relation to the comments that have been made.
"Robert Finch had the right of reply in the same article, which he expressed.
"He is in a high-profile position and I don't think constructive criticism hurts anyone.
"If Brett thinks it is anything other than constructive criticism then he is a very immature man."
But Finch maintained Fulton's comments were a "disgrace".
"My dad doesn't know I am ringing but as his son, I am just absolutely ropeable about the comments he (Fulton) made," Finch said.
"He is trying to undermine him and the job he does. It is just pathetic.
"I just think it is a cheap shot at my old man because I know how hard he works."
By James Phelps | July 01, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23948164-5006066,00.html
THE man who became a NSW hero after kicking a State of Origin match-winning field goal in 2006 last night took aim at one of rugby league's most powerful men - and it was all in the name of the father.
In an extraordinary spray, former Blues star Brett Finch yesterday called for Bob Fulton to be sacked as a NSW selector if they lose the series after the rugby league Immortal accused his father - referees' boss Robert Finch - of "attempting to change the face of Origin".
An emotional Finch took the unusual step of calling The Daily Telegraph to defend his father after the Manly great said Robert failed to inform NSW of changes to rule interpretations before State of Origin II.
"It is very ordinary," Finch said of Fulton's comments. "It is very personal because he is my dad. What he is accusing my father of is just a disgrace.
"He is basically saying my father isn't good at his job.
Related Links
"My opinion is he got it wrong (as a selector) in 2006 and 2007 and if the Blues don't win on Wednesday night, then he has gotten it wrong three years in a row. In my opinion he is not good at his job."
The Eels No. 7 said Fulton should stand down as a NSW selector if the Blues lose tomorrow night's State of Origin decider at ANZ Stadium.
"What he said is just embarrassing," Finch said.
"I am very upset because it is my father.
"And to come from someone like Bob Fulton . . . he is a selector for NSW. Maybe if NSW don't win on Wednesday night then he should be sacked, because he hasn't picked the right team for three years."
Brett, who was in contention for a Blues jersey this year, said his controversial comments could "ruin" his representative career.
"It has probably ruined my representative career but I couldn't give a rat's a...," Finch said.
"It was just too personal.
"Fulton said nothing when they won in the first game. Now he is blowing up because they lost the second.
"What is embarrassing is Fulton coming up with these comments.
"He should just worry about doing his job because he hasn't been able to do his job for the last two years."
Fulton last night stood by his comments made in yesterday's Daily Telegraph."What Brett has to understand is his father has the highest profile refereeing job in the country," Fulton said. "I think it is admirable but embarrassing that he (Brett) has gone into bat for his old man.
"Brett really does need to be realistic in relation to the comments that have been made.
"Robert Finch had the right of reply in the same article, which he expressed.
"He is in a high-profile position and I don't think constructive criticism hurts anyone.
"If Brett thinks it is anything other than constructive criticism then he is a very immature man."
But Finch maintained Fulton's comments were a "disgrace".
"My dad doesn't know I am ringing but as his son, I am just absolutely ropeable about the comments he (Fulton) made," Finch said.
"He is trying to undermine him and the job he does. It is just pathetic.
"I just think it is a cheap shot at my old man because I know how hard he works."
