Days after several weekend games were mired by criticism of referee calls, Morton has staunchly backed the on-field officials.

“There’s an old adage about referees,” Morton said.

“They might not be perfect but they do the best they can and there is no game without them.

“People often blame referees when their team loses.

“I always say the referees don’t drop the ball or any miss tackles.”

Morton’s words follow howls of criticism about alleged refereeing blunders in Group Nine games last weekend.

Amid the drama, Group Nine’s most senior and influential official has stayed firmly on the side of the embattled referees.

Morton is, however, adamant there is always room for scrutiny of refereeing performances.

“They (referees) are not a protected species, but they do need protection,” he said.

“We just can’t have referees being subjected to any kind of abuse, and especially the younger referees.

“We can’t afford to drive them out of the game.

“People (players and officials) have to be controlled enough not resort to abuse.”

Despite his support, Morton believes there are ways of lifting the overall standard.

“Sometimes I think the referees don’t get enough help from the touch judges,” he said.

“The touchies have to be prepared to tell the referee what they saw and give them assistance.

“Obviously quite a few of the touch judges are younger and are worried about abuse.

“We (Group Nine) have to ensure that (abuse) doesn’t happen and they (touch judges) can do their job.”

Significantly, Morton has also weighed in another issue enflaming Group Nine clubs.

Last weekend clubs were caught out by the “new” rule regarding players with blood flowing from cuts and abrasions.

Setting the record straight, Morton said there is no longer a “blood bin” in bush football.

“It’s exactly the same as the NRL,” Morton stressed.

“There is no blood bin permanently.

Under the rules, a bloodied player must be treated behind play or taken off the field, in which case an interchange must be used.

“The game shouldn’t be stopped,” Morton said.

“The player should be treated behind play and the team should play with 12 men.

“Or else the player should leave the field and be replaced by an interchange.”​