Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has called for a rethink of the NRL judiciary loading system in the wake of Greg Bird’s eight-week ban.
Bird was hit hard after being found guilty of a dangerous throw on Jason Nightingale during Sunday’s trans-Tasman Test.
The Gold Coast Titans back-rower was charged with a grade two dangerous throw, an offence that usually carries a three-week ban.
However because of Bird’s poor record, he was rubbed out for the next two months.
Under the rules, if a player has been found guilty of a similar offence in the previous two years, their charge incurs a 50 per cent loading. If they have have been guilty of a non-similar offence in the past 48 months, the charge carries an extra 20 per cent.
Because Bird had been found guilty of three similar offences in that time his penalty ballooned and the NSW stalwart will miss this year’s State of Origin series.
Robinson said the fact Bird had been charged with dangerous tackles four times since 2013 demonstrated he had a problem that needed to be addressed.
However he said minor offences were having too much bearing on some players’ bans.
He said the NRL was considering altering the rules so that grade one charges would not carry a loading, a move that had his support.
“I think the match review committee are doing a good job,” he said.
“They’ve been on the front foot with issues in our game and they’ve put pressure on clubs and players to improve in those areas.
“I do think the loading on some really minor offences can have a really big affect.
“So there has been some talk about the grade ones not having a loading affect and I am a supporter of that.
“For a minor change that has a 20 per cent loading or could have a 50 per cent loading, it can have an affect at critical times.”
He said Bird’s poor record showed he was deserving of a ban. However some players were being harshly punished because of previous minor offences.
“If it was something that was a year-and-a-half ago and two grade ones turning into a two-week ban for something that wouldn’t have resulted in a ban otherwise, I think that needs to be looked at.
“If something has happened four or five times, we need to look at that.”
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