Power in sport is a strange beast.
A smart man once said absolute power corrupts absolutely and I reckon the petulant performance of those precious AFL umpires recently proves his point.
A stupid man, Homer Simpson, once defined power as 'how God must feel when he's holding a gun' but that's beside the point.
The question is has sporting officialdom become drunk on power?
When ‘Blocker' Roach gave the ref a friendly pat on the head a few years back, we all had a chuckle and the big unit copped a couple of weeks for his trouble.
Yet less than a decade later we hear that West Coast's Phil Matera has been slapped with the same sentence for an accidental brush with a line umpire.
What is it with these pompous fools?
Give a bloke a whistle and a stripy inform, add a dash of attitude and it seems you have yourself an instant imbecile.
Sure, umpires and refs play an important role and sure they should be looked after but they're not a protected bloody species.
Do we have to get to the situation where players are petrified of going near an umpire in fear of brushing up against them?
I wonder how our homegrown refs would go in South American soccer where a crook decision is tantamount to signing your own death certificate.
I'll never forget the time I was viscously verbalised by a local cricket umpire for having the temerity to question one of his judgements.
It's time sporting officials pulled their heads in and leave the headlines to the real stars of the show.
State of Origin fever hits
You gotta love State of Origin time.
For mine, it's the ultimate sporting contest and step into any pub at the moment and the barroom banter is dominated by the question of who will play for the mighty Blues.
Yeah, I know, every two-bit mug punter has an opinion on this one so it's right up my alley.
And I reckon it's the most open field in living memory this time round with most of the incumbents under the pump from some talented fresh blood.
Let me just firstly say, all parochialism aside, that any talk of Nathan Hindmarsh not getting a guernsey is rubbish.
Unlike other years though, the Blues will line up with a fearsome pack this time round and will definitely have the edge on the Maroons but we might struggle a bit in the wing and three-quarter positions.
Anyway here goes.
I'd have Peachey at fullback because of his class and experience and the out of sorts Hodgson will have to settle for watching the match at home.
The wing spot is near impossible though.
Newcastle's Timana Tahu will probably get a run but I'd be surprised if Blacklock was named to partner him.
His form is very ordinary this year and if he couldn't get a call up when he was on fire last season then he certainly doesn't deserve one this time.
The other spot will probably go to El Masri, Geyer, Campbell or Minichello with the Sharks' Colin Best the smokey.
Gidley and Lyon will be the centre pairing but one I wouldn't rate as the Blues most inspiring.
I'd slot Barrett into five-eighth, he's not at his best in the ordinary Dragons side but I reckon he'll step up to the breach for this one.
Johns is a lay down mozaire for halfback while I'd give Anasta the nod for lock.
I reckon the enigmatic Bryan Fletcher should partner Hindy in the second row despite being a hit and miss type of player.
At his best he's unstoppable and Ben Kennedy's lack of match fitness is a real concern.
Ryles would have to be named as one of the props while Jason Stevens will probably edge out blokes like O'Meley, Vella and Stringer for the other spot.
Craig Gower will lose the hooking spot to the Knights' Danny Buderus.
I'd go for the dark horse and have Stringer on the bench as well as Scott Hill, Ben Kennedy and Steve Simpson.
And for those that disagree or would like to submit their own side for publication, just give me a buzz.
Bring on the cane toads I say.
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