Is this a referee issue? Or a player issue?
The game on Sunday I watched at English Park saw a young referee continue to warn players particularly Waitak players and do absolutely nothing when they continued to foul. I did not hear any lack of respect for officials (swearing etc) but did see frustration from players and spectators when the warnings progressed to nothing when fouls were continued to be committed. Culminating in a dubious red card for Canterbury who had not had any warnings.
As Patrick has said above, a challenge which warrants a red card is exactly that, a challenge which warrants a red card. Irrespective of whether the player has been warned previously, or it is his first challenge, of any kind, in the game. Agree with this. Yet to see footage so stand to be corrected on my dubious call.