concerned - you do raise a couple of issues that CCFRI does have some problems with.
Referees do get assessed on the field, but only 2-3 games a year (there are limited resources available), and this determines whether they get placed in a reserve grade/first grade panel.
However, being a good AR is a different skill, but unfortunately that isn't really a consideration for the reserve/first grade refs. If they're a good ref but not so good an AR, then that won't affect their appointments. Why is this?
First off, the reserve grade ref will line first grade, and vice versa. Really there's no way around this - the referees simply don't earn enough to make it worth their while to turn up for one game. Unfortunately, I'm sure you can imagine the difficulties that places on appointments - especially with some of the older AR's who may be able to handle a reserve grade match but can't keep up with first grade.
It would be ideal if our officials also received inspections as an AR and this contributed to their panel position - but I hate to say it, I don't think the talent pool is deep enough to support that. Unfortunately a LOT of the decent referees have disappeared over the last few years, especially the talented youngsters. Partly this is because some leave to referee with Federation in Sydney (if you want to get noticed, or ref a higher standard of football, go to Sydney). Although when I refereed on the coast, if I was the first grade ref I would take it easy on the reserve grade line - but you learn to pick your moments, when you can be lazy and when you can't afford to be. Unfortunately, doing those 2 games can be pretty darn tough.
I am now reffing in Melbourne, and the first grade ref does not get appointed to any other games - however, we get paid 2-3 times what Central Coast referees get paid, so it's worth our while. Unfortunately, this means that the reserve grade games get no AR's at all...
As for why an AA panel ref was on the reserve grade panel - it may have been a question of availability. I also believe there is some flexibility for officials to move between panels during the season, if he's had favourable inspection reports. Frequently AA panelled officials have been called up to do reserves and firsts when there's no other option.
Unfortunately the fitness test is a mere formality, and somebody with half a leg and no arms could pass it without breaking a sweat. Fitness and positioning is also only one small part of how referees get assessed on the field, so being unfit generally isn't going to affect the mark too much, unless that leads to problems (missing fouls and so forth).
That's assuming the inspector isn't overly lenient on an official's positioning...
Some referees are very lenient on dissent, and they are permitted a fair level of discretion. When the game gets a bit out of hand the ref has the choice of carding, carding and carding or trying to stay out of the limelight as much as possible, unless something particularly drastic is said/happens. Once things get a bit hectic it's very, very difficult to find a good middle ground - so it sounds like the ref would prefer to tolerate the dissent then show the cards a bit too much. Same with pushing in the back and other fouls - some are quite lenient, but as you say, when you're behind play it's quite difficult to be able to make the decision either way.
At least if the ref is behind play a lot then there's an equal chance of him missing fouls from both teams
