A couple of seasons ago ex-players Paul Mellor, Henry Perenara and Luke Phillips were going to be "fast tracked" into the refereeing ranks. Haven't seen anything else about them since. Have they abandonded the idea or, given the 2 refs this season, will they be putting in an appearance this year?.

I've seen Luke Phillips over the lsat 2 or 3 seasons in reserve grade. He both refs and is a touch judge.

Should add, that they're like players, they're waiting for people to be dropped, get injured or retire to get their chance.

Russell Smith is still here and is a video ref for the NRL aswell and overseeing refs in reserve grade.

A good old Cas Lad. One of my father in laws claim to fame is he taught Russell as well as John Joyner, Tony & Billy Marchant and Andy Hay.