The first half of the 2012 NRL Grand Final saw James Graham and Billy Slater engaged in a Tyson vs Holyfield battle, with Slater alleging Graham bit his ear during a melee that took place following a Canterbury try.
English forward James “Tyson” Graham and Slater appeared to be in a close headlock, and video footage shown on Channel Nine’s coverage shows Graham seemingly attack the ear of “Holyfield” Slater.
Slater reported the incident to the referee, with Tony Archer noting the blood on Slater’s ear and placing the allegation on report.
Archer said of the incident: “It’s on report, that’s all I can do.”
Slater later bit back, scoring for the Melbourne Storm before half-time.
There will no doubt be more to come from this.
Dog bites man? Listen to ABC Grandstand’s call of the biting incident.
The infamous Tyson vs Holyfield ear bite
James Massey-Chasr
Guest
Give him 12 weeks and send him home that's not what we want Australia
rolfusie
Guest
Totally agree
Chicken Vindaloo
Guest
Well done Des. What will those clever dogs think of next, beetroot juice , training ground cameras, ju jitsu training and now protein replenishment on the run.
NF
Guest
Please, report comments, not assume incorrectly that we let it through. Roar Mods.
josh
Guest
poor billy is such a nice guy, he has never done anything illegal or low before just ask john skandalis
josh
Guest
4 is it? which 4 premierships did they win in the last 7 years?
matt
Guest
was the ref allowed to ask the video ref for a review of the biting allegation? If so, why didn't he? If not, then fair call was made
Lovey
Guest
Didn't the ref say he did not have enough information to do anything else? You can't send a guy off because Slater had blood on his ear, and thinks he was bitten. Video ref for such matters? Melbourne were found guilty of salary cap breaches, and the penalty imposed. They did have to start from scratch a bit, developed those players, and had to ditch some of them when they became valuable. To me this part is unfair, but they knew the rules, so there are no excuses.
jamesb
Guest
A bit of a dog act from Graham. He should re-commence his NRL career around May or June next year. Than again Graham certainly knows what it tastes like to be a premiership player!
Bee Bee
Guest
Very true. That try should have been a big boost for Canterbury. Instead it gave extra focus and determination to a team that was already focused and determined beyond belief. The way Melbourne put Manly and Canterbury to bed wins them respect. Underated toilers defeat two entitled, over rated and undisciplined sides in consecutive weeks. Well done.
Meesta Cool
Guest
The melee would have happened sometime in this game... it is no coincidence that Dezzie's teams create a melee once they get behind on the scoreboard.. it puts the opposition off their game plan and usually swings the pendulum towards the aggressors. It isn't spontaneous, it's part of the game plan!. This time Storm stayed composed. Good on em!. I do think that at least one of the Bulldogs should have spent time in the bin for the incident, I saw nothing wrong with Slater trying to stop the try, First Inu came in at him, then some guy tried to pull his head off, then Graham tries to bite his ear off.. surely someone should have 'walked'!.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Best comment all year Phelpsy/. NOW, please NO MORE 'Cheat Bleats' from anyone.. AFL supporters 'feed on them'.. and now we gonna make too much about the bite incident, deal with it at the correct level and comment on the game.. it was too good to e overshadowed by this one act of madness...
Carolyn S
Guest
I have also lost respect for INU. He comes in and tries to throw his weight around instead of focusing on the game plan. What is with these new players that come in the team and spoil it for the rest? They need to send INU back home as well as GRAHAM - shame on them both for letting their team down. It's bad enough the Bulldogs lost, but now the team and coach have to cover up for their no class behaviour.
Carolyn S
Guest
There is nothing more sweeter than to walk off the field with a big smile, while the dogs are licking their wounds. INU may have instigated the brawl, but he also ignited the STORM's wrath; big mistake bro!! Untamed GRAHAM did not have a snap moment he just showed his true grubby character; no class and no skill. Well done STORM you put the dogs back in their cage where they belong.
steve b
Roar Guru
Are you kidding the touchy bolted fists going everywhere , Graham will get eight weeks , what a brain explosion , thought the dogs were hard done by with a few decisions in crucial times ,but in saying that i don't think the dogs could have capitalised anyway Storm defense just to good , good luck to them ...
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
couldnt agree more, i dont think trial matches should count towards suspensions
Raidersfan
Guest
He should have been sent off , no room for players like that.. Very dirty
Warriors_Paradise32
Roar Rookie
All I can say is that I have lost respect for Inu [never really liked him to begin with but anyway..] He lit the fire in a metaphorical sense.. Poor Billy was just about to get up and walk to his team mates then.. BANG.. He ends up getting his ear bit.. Why did this guy go to that extreme? Ill never know, but I hope NRL deal with him harshly and Inu as well.. Go the Storm a very well deserved win :)
Sam
Guest
What a cheap b*****d
Campaign to return Melbournes lost Premierships
Guest
Having knocked nine for their coverage into Melbourne and their intent to pull the coverage as the final whistle blew (as they have done in previous years), I was surprised and pleased to see them reshuffle their programme to show the end of the game and the presentation. I don't know what coverage was like elsewhere but from here its a well done and an about time.