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It’s the judiciary decision that has split the NRL community: should Jack Wighton be staring down the barrel of a finals-length suspension for a shoulder charge while Michael Ennis is free to play for the Sharks for a similar offence?
The NRL’s Match Review Committee (MRC) certainly think so. Wighton was handed a grade two shoulder charge for his big hit on Wests Tigers’ Joel Edwards while Ennis has escaped without sanction for the late hit which floored Melbourne five-eighth Blake Green.
Wighton has pleaded not guilty, and will fight the charge.
» Wighton’s suspension only shows MRC’s incompetence
Adding to the plot is the draw for the first week of the finals, which in a twist of fate will see Canberra play host to – no surprises here – the Sharks.
Wighton’s offence carries a hefty base penalty of 350 points but, because of the Raiders fullback’s poor recent disciplinary record – Wighton has two offences in the past two years – that increases to 490. An early guilty plea will reduce the penalty to 367 points.
The short of it is that Wighton will miss three games if he pleads guilty or four if he appeals the suspension and loses.
In an unusual move that took into account the furore that would be caused by the decision to charge Wighton, the NRL’s MRC co-ordinator, Michael Buettner, explained the reasons behind the differing rulings for Wighton and Ennis.
“We look for three key indicators when determining whether a shoulder charge has been made,” Michael Buettner said.
“They are:
1. The upper arm of the defender must be tucked into his side at contact
2. The defender is making no attempt to wrap in the tackle with both arms
3. There is forceful contact by the defender to any part of the body of the attacking player.
“If all three of these indicators are clearly identified in an incident then a player will be charged with a shoulder charge.
“In the case of Michael Ennis, it’s very clear that the left arm of Ennis is away from his body and not tucked into his side.
“So no charge was laid.
“In the Wighton incident the MRC was satisfied that all three indicators were present and so a charge has been laid.”
The decision must surely come as a surprise to the Raiders, who were relatively unconcerned about Wighton’s fate after the match on Sunday.
“I’m not worried after I heard Michael Ennis got off,” coach Ricky Stuart said.
“But I’m glad Michael Ennis got off, because I don’t think there has been enough of a common sense approach in these collisions.
“Jack said he hit Edwards with his head, so I am not concerned.”
Skipper Jarrod Croker also brushed off any concerns about Wighton post-match, saying: “It was a head clash, Jack had his hands up. I am sure he will be fine.”
The Raiders are yet to issue a statement since Wighton was charged, but they are expected to challenge the decision in an attempt to get it downgraded.
But with Michael Ennis and the Sharks now left with no such issues, it raises the question: did the MRC get it right? Should Ennis be facing the same charge as Wighton? Or should both men be free to face off on Saturday night in Canberra? Let us know your thoughts below!