BY SCOTT DILLON

Baffled media and fans have taken to social media to vent their frustrations after this weekend’s referee appointments were made.

Referee’s boss Bernard Sutton has decided not to sack his brother Gerard who was the lead official in the Shark Park debacle last Friday night.

Touch judge Ricky McFarlane and pocket referee Gavin Reynolds were dropped but not Reynolds. He will be lead referee in the Gold Coast Titans versus Warriors clash.

The81stminute’s lead NSW Cup commentator and editor of the81stminute.com Curtis Woodward is shocked at the decision.

“I can’t believe the other blokes get dropped but the lead referee from that Cronulla game doesn’t,” Woodward said.

“It’s obvious why Gerard didn’t get the boot. His brother runs the damned thing.

“I have defended the NRL against crisis merchants all year but you can’t defend this.”

I’ve Rarely been so disappointed to be spot on right. Gerard Sutton, Luke Patten and Henry Perenara all failed. Yet none were punished. The morale of the officials has just been totally napalmed… Shame @Todd_Greenberg https://t.co/V6VSZd1gT3

— Tim Gore (@GorskiOPork) July 24, 2018

The biggest story of the week is no doubt the referee debacle at Cronulla on Friday night.

Here's the verdict

❎ Touch Judge Rickey McFarlane dropped
❎ Pocket ref Gavin Reynolds dropped
✅ Gerard Sutton "free to ref"

Is there something broken with the ref system?#NRL

— Nothing But Rugby League – Stories and Stats (@NothingButRL) July 24, 2018

So, Gerard Sutton refers to Bunker after flag goes up which is against the laws of the game. Touchie and Pocket ref get dropped while he still stays in 1st grade. Anyone see what's wrong with this picture? Boys club at its best #nrl

— The Saints🐉 (@Ali_Hijazi) July 24, 2018

Gerard Sutton is still the lead referee this weekend in the @NRL I cannot believe this is allowed to continue. Yes touch judge put up his flag, but Sutton allowed play to continue and referred decision to bunker. No accountability and funny his brother Bernard is the boss!!!

— Mark Levy (@marklevy2gb) July 24, 2018

Catch The81stMinute Call Team this Saturday from 2pm live on steelesports.com.au for the Intrust Super Premiership clash between Mounties and the North Sydney Bears.