Elite brotherly officiating feat never in doubt

Jordan Morel's Hostplus Cup refereeing debut has made he and sibling Nick the first brothers to officiate at the state's top level of men's rugby league in the Cup era.

Jordan took charge for the Ipswich Jets versus Souths Logan Magpies clash in Round 1, with Nick among a massive support crew of family members involved in a pre-game debut jersey handover.

The 27-year-old said it was a “step up” he felt he handled well, earning him another shot, being appointed to referee Western Clydesdales versus Tweed Seagulls in Round 2 of the Hostplus Cup.

“To referee a game at that intensity for 80 minutes was something you don’t do often in the lower grades," Cup referee No.71 said.

"It’s certainly something you don’t do week-in week-out prior to getting the opportunity but it’s probably the most fun I’ve had in a game.

“I feel like this pre-season was one of the best I’ve had, tried to get my body right with plenty of running and doing things away from the field on the days we don’t train to put myself in the best position possible for that game in Round 1 and lucky enough it has all paid off.

“If I can continue to do that hopefully there’s plenty more opportunities to come. It’s good to see the effort reaps rewards at the end of the day.”

Morel became involved in rugby league as a player at Forest Lake, before a shortage of players in his age group led to him pursuing officiating.

With his brother Nick entering the QRL High Performance Unit around the same time, Jordan was able to come through the grades getting tips from his sibling and NRL-experienced officials such as Chris Butler, Peter Gough and Michael Wise.

But it hasn’t always been easy, on a journey to first grade that has taken half his life. 

“It doesn’t feel that long. Ever since I went out and refereed and earned $20 a game refereeing under 7s, 8s, 9s... it’s actually been 10-plus years, a bit of heartbreak not getting grand finals, not getting semi-finals and that sort of thing... not being selected for certain things," Jordan said.

"But over time I’ve learnt it’s about how you overcome those disappointments to get to where you are and I think the maturity I’ve picked up over the past 24 months really got me to where I was last week in Hostplus Cup."

He said having his brother, who has more than 100 NRL matches as a touch judge under his belt, in the QRL High Performance Unit lighting the pathway gave him the ideal “role model” to follow to this latest milestone.

“Knowing the work I’ve done now, I still need to put more work in to go and do what he’s done,” Jordan said.

“But it’s not only the way he approaches me, but the younger guys too and how he makes himself open to conversation and development and that sort of things, because in our game you get disappointment and that sort of things and he’s a real role model for all of us to achieve higher than we believe we can.”

Nick, who had 72 games in the middle in the Cup before turning to a touch judge career, said it was “pretty special” to see his brother achieve his latest milestone.

While humbled at Jordan’s appreciation of his own influence, Nick said credit had to be given to QRL state match officials manager Clayton Sharpe and High Performance Unit coach Andrew Wareham for “having the tough conversations” with Jordan to get him ready to debut.

“Obviously Sharpey has done over 200 games in Hostplus Cup, so he’s been there and knows what it takes to succeed at that level, so just by Sharpey being direct and being himself and telling the boys they’ll get the opportunity when they’re ready really set Jordan in the right stead to put his best foot forward in his career,” Nick said.

Nick said while running a touch line in an NRL game would be “the ultimate” for the siblings, he would be there every step of the way regardless.

“We’re both at different parts of our career – as much as I hate to say it I’m coming towards the back end of mine being mid-30s and he’s just starting out on his journey – I’d like to say I’d be around for that opportunity to arise but at the same time if I’m not then it would be great just to see him achieve his ultimate goal of refereeing at NRL level,” Nick said.