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Exactly what were the NRL judiciary looking at when they ruled that serial offender Steve Matai had no case to answer for after sliding into a defenseless Jharal Yow Yeh on Friday night?
With Manly leading by 16 points with less than 20 minutes to play, Yow Yeh appeared to be headed for the line as he stretched out toward the corner before Manly winger Michael Robertson made a try-saving tackle, halting Yow Yeh’s momentum.
Enter the cowardly Steve Matai, who crashed into Yow Yeh’s abdomen with both knees in an attempt to prevent him from scoring the try.
The judiciary found that Matai “didn’t make contact so escaped the charge,” and “didn’t go in with his knees”.
What?
If he didn’t go in with his knees, exactly what part of his body did he go in with?
I’m no physicist, but if he didn’t make contact, shouldn’t Matai have continued to slide past the corner post toward the fence if his body did not make contact with Yow Yeh?
But it didn’t, his knees crashed straight into Yow Yeh’s body and Matai’s momentum stopped his force crashed straight into the Brisbane winger.
Manly’s Tony Williams will also be free to play after pleading guilty to a grade two careless high-tackle charge, while Glenn Stewart will also come back into contention after his own Houdini act at the judiciary after his role in the brawl with Adam Blair.
The silvertails seem to be leading a charmed life at the judiciary for a club who Des Hasler claims are supposedly victims of an NRL agenda.
Some will rightfully point out that Brisbane may have indirectly received their comeuppance after Justin Hodges’ own dog act on the Dragons’ Brett Morris last Saturday night.
And they’d be right.
Looking at the decisions from a cynical perspective, it seems that the NRL may be looking to have all available stars on deck for its showpiece finals.
They must get back to being impartial.
Watch the video from the 58 second mark and make up your own mind.
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