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The NRL judiciary handed down a seven-week suspension to the Melbourne Storm’s Jordan McLean for his role in the tackle that left Newcastle Knights forward Alex McKinnon in hospital with a serious spinal injury.
Emotions are running very high in rugby league at present, but my initial response to the length of the suspension was disbelief. Quite frankly, I couldn’t believe that McLean had copped such a heavy suspension for something that was quite obviously a tragic accident.
Apart from there being no intent from McLean in the tackle, three other people – Storm brothers Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and McKinnon himself – all played a role in what occurred.
How McLean can be given 100 per cent of the blame escapes me.
Even if the NRL judiciary did solely blame McLean, the seven-week suspension makes no sense. In fact, it reeks of ill-conceived compromise.
If the judiciary based the length of the suspension on the tackle alone, then one to three weeks would seem fair.
If the judiciary based the suspension on the injury that occurred – which would be wrong – then seven weeks is nothing compared to the physical damage that has been done.
It’s a case of the judiciary being ‘half pregnant’.
Give McLean one week, and the NRL sends a clear message to the Storm forward and everyone else that they acknowledge the misjudgement in the tackle and subsequent injury were accidental.
A one-year suspension sends a clear message that all players have a duty of care on the field, and any action that results in serious injury has serious repercussions.
Though I don’t agree with the latter sentiment, I could understand the rationale.
Yet what we’re left with is case of no one being happy. Those seeking justice for McKinnon would hardly feel vindicated with McLean spending seven weeks on the sidelines.
Those supporting McLean – and objectivity – wouldn’t feel like the punishment fits the offence, if indeed they even believe an offence was committed.
The NRL judiciary has dug themselves a hole now, because they’ll need to be extremely consistent with future rulings or face accusations that they have let emotions rule their decision in this particular instance.
Forgetting the suspension and the ensuing outrage, it’s worth pointing out that there was never going to be any winners from last night’s hearing.
Alex McKinnon still lies in a hospital bed with an extremely challenging future ahead of him. Jordan McLean has become a household name for terrible reasons, and, regardless of fault, no doubt blames himself for McKinnon’s sad situation.
Both individuals will have to contend with the results for the rest of their lives.
There is no question that McKinnon’s position is the more tragic, but both young players now face adversity, stress, media scrutiny and future uncertainty that was absent from their lives just two short weeks ago.
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for rugby league and two of its young players. However, the judiciary did no one any favours last night. Not the code. Not the NRL. Not the fans. Not Alex McKinnon. And unquestionably, not Jordan McLean.
Since Ryan’s article went live, the NRL released this statement on the judiciary decision:
The NRL said today that counselling and other support is being provided for Storm forward Jordan McLean.
NRL Head of Football, Mr Todd Greenberg, said the welfare of Alex McKinnon continued to be at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts following his injury last week.
He said the NRL will look after the welfare of Jordan McLean as well.
“This is a tragic incident which has affected the lives of both Alex and Jordan and we need to do all we can to support them both,” Mr Greenberg said.
Mr Greenberg said the NRL had been in regular contact with the McKinnon family and the Newcastle club since the incident occurred and was offering assistance.
He said the Melbourne Storm was already offering counselling and support for Jordan, who was suspended for seven matches last night for a dangerous throw.
The NRL is in regular contact with the Storm to check on the welfare of Jordan and will provide additional assistance where requested.
Mr Greenberg said the NRL Judiciary Chairman, Mr Paul Conlon, had agreed to outline the details of last night’s judiciary decision, given the special circumstances surrounding the case.
The judiciary panel ruled that it was a grade 2 dangerous throw which carries 325 demerit points
A further 400 points were allocated after consideration by the panel of a range of factors including the injury suffered by Alex McKinnon.
“There has been no case like this in recent memory and it was always going to be a difficult case for the independent panel,” Mr Greenberg said.
“There is a process in place which was followed but it is clearly a tragic and extraordinary set of circumstance they were dealing with.”
Mr Greenberg said Melbourne Storm had seven days to seek leave to appeal the judiciary’s decision.