At a time when concussions and rugby league tackling techniques are big news, someone was always going to be made a scapegoat to subdue the frothing masses. And, as far as scapegoats go, there are few better than Travis Burns.
As a player Burns is incredibly easy to dislike. Unlike the two Reynolds who the fans will stand and applaud for their little guy tenacity, Travis ‘the Texas Terrier’ Burns is much less likely to be referred to as a ‘tough bastard’ as he is a ‘niggling jerk.’
Read more: Don’t judge Burns before NRL trial, says Newton
Watching him play you can sense the frustration seeping from him like your old man trying to set up a Youtube account, and even while on the field in the victory against the Roosters on the weekend, his demeanour rarely rose above a ‘waiting in line at the RTA’ level of enjoyment.
On top of this Burns is a player whose form has fluctuated wildly, floats between positions like an OAK carton on the ocean and is on the wrong side of 25 having never played representative football.
It is extremely easy to imagine him giving a venomous pre-match address in a dilapidated changing shed to a group of stubbled footballers he is captain-coaching out in the bush somewhere, such is the raw emotion in his performances and obvious focus of belligerence over skill.
And, pending a miracle at the judiciary next week ,the Parkes Spacemen and the Quirindi Grasshoppers might want to start flogging those quickly defrosting meat trays, because park footy is where he’ll likely end up.
Sure he plans to fight the head high charge which would have cost him nine weeks with an early guilty plea next week, but just exactly what are him and Gus Gould QC planning on cooking up for the jury?
With the old favourite “But it’s not his go!” defence likely to draw a reaction similar to Blocker Roach walking into ARLC headquarters in a dress and performing an improvised comedy skit, perhaps Penrith Panthers SVU need to delve back into some famous cases of yesteryear.
Cases such as Danny Williams versus Post Traumatic Amnesia. Or Shane Dunley versus Reflux. Failing this there’s a whole host of vague medical conditions out there that are just a Google away, and surely something like sleep apnoea or lime’s disease could from the basis of a case just baffling enough to throw the panel off the scent.
Biomechanics is always a good one too, and seeing Nerdy Nevil from the local uni who has seldom seen sunlight let alone a footy match try to explain complex vectors and parabolas to a bunch of meat head ex-footy players must be comedy gold for those in attendance.
Whether they can be arsed go to this length for an off contract semi-regular first grader after they’ve just let their hometown international hero Luke Lewis fly the coop is to be seen, and perhaps they’re better off not wasting their time.
Because whatever they go with, it’s doomed to fail, just ask Bob Cooper. A line has been drawn in the sand and Burns has found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. As a player he is expendable, and will be duly shunted out the backdoor with the magic sponge and 5m rule.
And while many won’t miss his presence in the game, recent circumstances have shown that sometimes when a player is turfed before his time, the anger doesn’t ever quite go away.
So here’s hoping that the ridiculous defence Penrith are no doubt concocting for next week is the only stupid thing to come out of the hearing, and that some common sense is applied to Burns’ punishment.
Because while ‘old school’ players like Burns might be becoming a thing of the past in rugby league, so too should the need to destroy the careers of players, just to be seen to be making a point.
Follow Chris on Twitter: @Vic_Arious
oikee
Guest
Burnz leapt high with a swinging arm, do you guys even watch the games. Look, Burnz has to go, be sacrifical lamb for the game. Your turn will come, next time we see a high shot we can get out with the banners, Burnz got 16, give him 20. I already have my eye on a few other players who have been going high for years and getting away with blue murder. Time we hunted these guys down and throw the book at them. Do they have a ban system for fans who misbehave as well. ? Time we started to get tough on the repeat offenders.
oikee
Guest
Hello Boydy where ya been, did the mods give ya 12 weeks., :) Still complaining about the Queenslanders i see, a leopard never changes his spots. I hope he gets 16 weeks with no parole, so next time a player goes high, we all can scream blue murder and throw the book at him. Odds on it will be a NSW player. ;)
The Barry
Roar Guru
Chris - great article. 17 weeks for the two incidents is ludicrous. To put Burns two incidents at the same level as Danny Williams king hit is a joke. The chicken wing was bad - but there's plenty as bad every week that don't even get cited. It was made to look worse by the way Masoe kept his arm in the chicken wing position after Burns released. My first thought when I watched it was that he had popped his shoulder. Having said that I'm comfortable with Burns getting four weeks for that as long as we see the same penalties applied CONSISTENTLY. This is most players, coaches and fans gripe regardless of their views on what constitutes foul play. We all know it won't happen. I have seen heaps of leg twists since Blair got pinged against the Dogs and nothing has happened. Another player made an example of. The 12 weeks for the high shot is a joke. It was a bad shot because he jumped into it and contact was straight across Kennedy's face. I reckon it should be about six weeks. I know there'll be howls of protest - "it could have ended Kennedy's career" - that sort of thing but apart from the Tony Williams tackle on De Gois, six weeks would still be one of the longest suspensions of the season but comparable to other offences. 12 weeks makes it four times worse than Inglis' tackle - is that fair ? Was it six times worse than Te'os hit on Groat ? Terrible tackle but I feel for Burns in all this.
apaway
Guest
Travis Burns needs to explain that he has "IED", Intermittent Explosive Disorder, and that he wasn't in control of his actions. I think it's a little bit like "Small Forgotten Man Angry Syndrome" as I have to admit, I didn't realise he was even playing for the Panthers. Or he could keep it real and just say, "You let Greg Inglis virtually get away with GBH, why not me?"
Chris Chard
Expert
Nice work Soulranch, a classic. Also according to the article Soulranch the signs of Brain Hypoxia include; 1 Confusion 2 Memory loss 3 Poor judgment Which begs the question can TV commentary teams catch it from players??? Cheers CC
Chris Chard
Expert
Hi EJ Interesting to hear about the Raiders. I've alsoe heard ESL Widnes might be keen for his signature, they think he'd make a great replacement for Anthony watts... Cheers CC
soulranch
Guest
I would really like to see him pull out the Acute Brain Hypoxia excuse David Fa'alogo style http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/what-the-doctor-said/story-e6frexni-1111114354554
Boydy
Guest
As I commented on an earlier story, he'll cop plenty. There are one set of rules for some clubs and players and another set for the others. Look at the Inglis incident, It was a dog act and he’s just lucky he didn’t get the rest of the season. If it had been Frank Pritchard or Clint Newton or any other NON so-called “superstar” of the game (insert Travis Burn's name here) they would have got three times that suspension. I'm not condoning what Burns did, I think both acts were distasteful to say the least, but what Inglis did, and the way he carried on afterwards (showing absolutely no concern for a guy being put in a neck brace as the result of an "accidental collision") only proved what most of us already knew, just like his Maroons captain, he is a grub. May be Hi Protein but he's definitely Low GI
Razza
Guest
I like Travis Burns's dedication to his team and club, when he played for the Eagles, he was in everything when playing and a very good defender also made plenty of metres in attack, but since leaving the Eagles he has changed his style and has becone very agressive in defence bordering on foul play in most games i have watched. He deserves the full 17 weeks with no appeal and i think all punishment for illegal tackles or play that is handed down should not be allowed for appeal, it is a joke that a player can appeal and get a softer sentence and Inglis's appeal is a very good example and he should have been sent off on the day also.
Mals
Roar Rookie
Good article Chris. Burns is a "no name" 1st grader from a no frills footy team so the judiciary can take a tough stance without much in the way of repercussions. Hopefully sanity prevails & he gets a downgrade.
PLANKO
Guest
He was very young when he played for Manly he thought he was worth more and North QLD was happy to oblige. However happy for him to play with the blues lol. He might give Thurston something to think about. Ps I know he is a QLDer
steve b
Roar Guru
Robin Maclean --- Ditto !
eagleJack
Guest
My guess is he will have the "intent" downgraded to "careless/reckless". So 3 weeks for the Chicken wing and 5-6 weeks for the high shot. This will mean he will only miss the first 2-3 games in 2013. That's not enough to see his career end in bush footy. Apparently the Raiders are circling - after their recent success with another Panthers discard Shhhhandor Earl
Robert
Guest
He deserves everything he gets.There was intent in the tackle because of the way he carried on after the initial hit.Burns is a grub and has taken too many angry pills.Every time he plays against Manly its like he still holds a grudge against the club and tries to take every players head off. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
steve b
Roar Guru
He should give Cam Smith a ring and get him to front with him ,,he's the expert on good ole school dirty tactics ....
Robin Maclean
Guest
I agree with Ricky Stewart that it simply looked like a tackle that slipped up a bit high. Inglis, however has shown the mothers of future footballers that they might be pushing their sons around in wheelchairs if the shoulder charge isn't banned as it is in the rough and tumble of Rugby Union. In a couple of weeks Inglis can go back to his cheap shots and, I agree, that a vindictive few will ruin Travis Burns' life.
Droppa
Guest
17 weeks is a bit stiff ,i'd give him 4 for the head high & two for the chicken wing.
Big Face
Guest
Needs to pull out the Chewbacca defence. Or get Matt Nable in his corner.