Burns slams refereeing standard

Glory was left fuming on Sunday when a clear handball in the box against Sydney defender Rhyan Grant went unpunished, allowing the Sky Blues to hold on for a 2-1 win.

Burns, who's picked up four yellow cards already this season, says the standard of refereeing has been below par in the opening four rounds, and needs to be addressed.

Burns felt some of the cards against him this season were unwarranted, but said there was a wider issue surrounding the standard of refereeing in the league.

"I think we as players are asked to put in the best performance. We're under close scrutiny," Burns said.

"If I'm being honest, I think the referees have been below par for the first four games.

"All you can ask for is a bit of consistency and a bit of common sense at times.

"I feel that quite a few of my cards and some of the decisions that have been made, we've been on the wrong end.

"But that's right across the board.

"I watched the Adelaide game the other day, and same thing there.

"We're trying to grow the game. We're trying to make it better from all aspects.

"That's one thing that has to be lifted for sure."

Perth isn’t expected to have too much trouble reaching the finals this season but Burns said some wrong refereeing decisions - like the missed handball against Sydney - could end up proving costly.

"It might not seem like much early doors but, down the track, that could be the points we need to get into a finals place," he said.

Glory coach Ian Ferguson said he wouldn't ask Burns to change his uncompromising attack on the ball despite the former Australia midfielder nearing a one-match ban.

"He's a player that wears his heart on his sleeve. I would never try to take that aggression away from Jacob," Ferguson said.