Do you like touch football? Then you’ll be excited by the NRL 2014 season, because it seems that’s the way our game is headed.
In a year that has already seen the outlawing of the shoulder change, NRL CEO Dave Smith and referees boss Daniel Anderson have once again bowed down to misguided public opinion and placed a ban on any sort of on-field fighting.
The media make out as if fighting on the field happens all the time. Not true – sure a punch gets thrown occasionally and a fight may break out once in a while but what would you expect of 26 adrenalin-fuelled men?
It’s been happening in our game for the last 100 years and it’s part of why we love this game so much. But not anymore, now if you throw a punch of any sort you’re off – sin binned, no questions asked.
Remember the fight between Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair (Manly versus Melbourne, round 25 2011)? Stewart and Blair went toe-to-toe, which eventuated into an all in brawl.
Under this new ruling it would seem all players involved would be sin-binned. That’s 26 players in the bin, leaving the remainder of that game to be played by whom? The remaining four bench players from either side?
And if things getting heated between those eight players, the fans are left watching an empty field. However it may turn out to be the other way around and it will be the players who will be looking into empty grandstands.
The fans, the real NRL fans – the men and women who loved seeing the big hits, who loved seeing the raw unbridled emotion reach boiling point and erupt into a physical affair – these fans will simply walk away from the game they loved so much.
Matt Canty
Guest
You can all say what you want but rugby league will be dead in 20 years time if this keeps up no doubt. Its like boxing without any punches thrown or cricket without any balls being bowled!
Matt Canty
Guest
Heck yeha! agree with you. I played league from the age of 8 and have watched every footy season from as long I can remember! If you dont like big hits shoulder charges and other contact go watch netball eh bro ;)
turbodewd
Roar Guru
I clearly stated that a SC that contacts the head should get penalized and reported. Gallen shud hav been given 10 in the bin.
therookie
Roar Pro
I agree with you. The shoulder charge is worse in ways to the biff. Both however are iconic and unique to the game and should not have been scraped. This shows that the Commission are getting real soft and that is NOT the rugby league way. I miss David Gallop, he would not have let this happen.
damoinaus
Roar Pro
You want to see the original dog shot? Rewind the tape a few minutes and watch Myles leading with the head on Hayne.
Nathan
Guest
And you sound like those serving jail terms that the author of the article described. I hope to God your name doesn't refer to rugby league.
Dayer
Guest
TGGoA ... I feel for you, mate. what are you gonna do now ... are you gonna accept the rules or are you gonna whinge and cry like GALLEN or go support another sport. have a nice day
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
Exactly, on the night, singular, one occasion. If the ref had immediately penalized Gallen for the swinging arm, none of this would have happened. It was the refs fault. Gallen should have been suspended 1 match for the swinging arm, which was a cheap shot. Isn't it ironic this decision has come from the refs boss? Not really.
Australian Rules
Guest
Not for Gallen on the night. He got 1 week for punching and then whined like a victim.
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
So we keep getting told. You just proved my point. There has always been repercussions.
seven dollers worth
Guest
Hey ( reality bites) Not all NRL players are violent idiots who have had issues with bad behavior since childhood.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
The integrity commissioner is modelled off the NFL one. It won't change behaviours as such, rather set punishments to bring consistency into how issues are dealt with. For example, with Tamou getting a 2 week suspension, you would use that as the basis for any other person in the league who performed a similar act. As we are seeing with Fergo, being charged with an offense can see your contract suspended immediately for bringing the game into disrepute, with possible further suspensions if found guilty. The NRL just needs to ensure they continue to educate players, but even more so, clubs need to become more responsible for the guys they have contracted, ensuring those that like a drink, or seem to be going off the rails, are hauled back in, and directed to counselling sessions before they do end up on the back page of the newspaper. That's something David Smith cannot put in place.
Australian Rules
Guest
If you're campaigning for fights to stay part of the NRL...with no repercussions...then that is a campaign you will lose my friend. Anyway, in my opinion, throwing punches is the least "tough" thing in rugby league.
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
So you're ok with a Dean Young/Greg Inglis type scenario but not a Nate Myles/Paul Gallen one?
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
"If we don't like it, move to another sport" Been hearing that a lot, why is it "your" game to change but not "our" game to keep it the way it is? Why can't YOU watch something else, why can't YOU invent another game?
Dayer
Guest
Blame the "GRUB" Gallen for the rule change, not the NRL. Times are a CHANGING. I am going to miss the "skirmishes" but we all have to accept change and if we do not like it, move to another sport.. League now is for the new and the next generation. I love LEAGUE.
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
You're a hypocrite and you don't even know it.
Stu
Guest
Nice wriggle but no cigar. You used that phrase with all the relevant connotations in a context. You invoked sex as some type of symbolism and distinguishing factor to mock someone else's comment that, albeit inelegantly, related to a maturity context: immature people i.e. boys, fight as opposed to men, mature members of that sex, don't. Please don't tell me that you are ok for blokes to fight each other but not to call each other "boy" when they fall within your definition of a "man". You made an attempt to demean someone by using the term "girl" as a derogatory. It's just unnecessary and hopefully that was just thoughtless.
Robz
Guest
You said it yourself "a punch gets thrown occasionally and a fight may break out once in a while"; coupled with the fact that this is precisely what the sin-bin was intended for, to let players cool off; I really doubt this actual enforcement of the games rules will change the game too much. It has a complete over-reaction to the edict that it's an auto send-off
Australian Rules
Guest
You punch someone in the head...get 10mins in the bin...and the author says this will make the game like touch footy. seriously