The NRL judiciary immediately thought of compromise when punishing Paul Gallen’s actions in Origin 1.
Gallen’s fight was a promoter’s dream, but was considered morally wrong and a breach of player conduct.
It is an incident that has only been justified by one cliché that has been circling the rugby league world: “that’s Origin”.
Gallen was charged with a grade two striking offence, and he reluctantly accepted an early guilty plea meaning he will miss one match.
But Gallen’s disappointment goes much deeper than his unavailability for the Sharks’ clash with the Storm on Sunday.
Gallen said if his actions were deemed offensive, they shouldn’t be used to promote Origin 2.
Gallen and Myles’ stoush will be used as the showpiece to advertise Australia’s biggest spectacle this year. And that is part of the reasoning behind the judiciary’s decision.
One believes protecting their flagship event would have been a key factor of the contentiously lenient penalty.
But the NRL judiciary had to also take into account the barking of rival codes and angry mothers from the other side of the fence.
If Paul Gallen were to be sent off during the first Origin, it would have ruined the game and created massive uproar.
A sin-bin would have sufficed and the Blues would have been disadvantaged as per Gallen’s rule violation.
If Gallen escaped suspension, the game would be scrutinised for letting violence go unpunished.
The refereeing is one of many aspects that change in standard from an NRL club game to State of Origin.
Gallen defended his action by comparing his situation with Brisbane forward Josh McGuire’s king-hit on Parramatta’s Mitchell Allgood.
The Cronulla and NSW captain has had a notable track record of offences, which was slowly reducing before Wednesday night.
The severity of the charge has also come under fire, with rival codes voicing their opinions.
AFL commentators compared the sentence to their match review panel verdict and deemed Gallen’s actions would receive a 12-week ban, which would be reduced to nine weeks with an early plea.
Parents generally view rugby league as dangerous and discourage their children from playing the sport competitively at a grassroots level.
State of Origin is the spectacle that attracts infants to rugby league and it will be boosted with the skipper free to play in the blockbuster on June 26.
The fight will be built up in the media, plastered on billboards and will be the major talking point in bars across the eastern seaboard ahead of game two.
But the violence is not the advertisement for rugby league.
It is the qualities of patriotism, passion and territory that are associated with violence, that are values that define State of Origin.
PJC
Guest
Your statement is irreverent. Boatman of River Styx wasn't asking why Myles didn't throw a punch back, he was simple stating that because no reciprocating punches were thrown, it wasn't a fight, it was just an assault by Gallen. The problem that a lot of people have had with this is that Gallens actions weren't "in-the-heat-of-the-moment", the were premeditated and deliberate. Gallen threw a punch in the tackle, Myles was ready to walk away and get on with the game, Gallen unleashed an uncalled for round of punches. It was the same situation involving a Gallen head high tackle on Tony Carol that lead to Gallen, not Carol, following through with an attack. Gallen is nothing but a thug.
Ur kidding
Guest
If myles wasnt such a lady he would of thrown one back.
PJC
Guest
Boatman of River Styx is correct. If there are no punches thrown from the other side, then it is not a fight and just becomes an assault.
Boatman of River Styx
Guest
How is it a fight when there is only one guy throwing punches? Please explain...
Tru Blu
Guest
Voice of reason. It's an easy ticket just like any Pearce articles.
The eye
Guest
Please be the last column on this topic,same people saying the same things over and over again.We've all got our imbedded opinions and doubt they'll change now.Can you take us to a happier place Roar journalists ?
Dribbler
Guest
Are you still dribbling? You obviously know nothing about league or fighting so sto embarrassing yourself!
Boatman of River Styx
Guest
It wasn't a "fight". Gallen threw one swinging arm and 4 punches. None were thrown back at him. It takes two for it to be a fight.
oikee
Guest
You should put up all the links for these community sections and papers, all sinking the boot into rugby league. According to a few league bloggers this is not true,. Nobody is complaining and denial is the order of the day. Take their orders provide the links and "Dish them out some nice humble pie". I am still trying to get them past denial, then we can go onto step two, acceptence, excepting that Gallen is nothing more than a revengeful pre-meditated grub. The only loser out of all this will be the game, for not acting again. Allowing coaches, players and ex-players to run the game into the ground won't buy any new fans, while the rusted on fans all cheer but dont bother to turn up to club games as they dont want to be seen in public,. Once they stop the denial, then eccept that this is nothing but a grub act, then we can work on rehabilatation and then maitenance and return to society. 5 steps. Step 1= denial, refuse to believe, we have to get them back to believing again. Step 2= ecceptence , they have to eccept this is nothing but acts of grubs, bully. Step 3= rehabillatation, or rehab, we can help them through these tough times, (being a oldschool fan is not easy) Step 4= maitenance, we have to keep them well-oiled and tuned, make sure they dont wander, And Finally, Step 5= return them to society, nothing more forfilling than seeing happy vegemites running free, without restriction, without the weight of trying to protect thugs and bullies, all the while the 99% of society thinks this way. No, helping those 1%ers will be worth all the trouble, just like Kung-foo man got help, and became the grasshopper. Barry Gommersal was there to help NSW as a state in the early years, i see that we are starting to lose a few after that early progress. We cant give up on them, losing one is a major loss, with crowds falling now, faster than a lead balloon.
Ur kidding
Guest
Have queensland ever won a fight in state of origin?