I’m absolutely loving the footy thus far. You know the NRL is in a good place when “experts” are getting their tips wrong!
I’m very keen to look at the new rules and regulations regarding head high tackles, grappling and of course, our good old mate, the shoulder charge.
I’ll tell you right off the bat, I’m still filthy that the shoulder charge has been banned. Why? Because completely outlawing one of rugby league’s greatest spectacles because of a few rogue offenders is ludicrous.
I just don’t understand why there needs to be such a grey area when discussing what is an acceptable tackle/charge and what penalties are given when one comes into contact with another’s head.
It’s simple. If a player’s shoulder comes into contact with another player’s head… then throw the book at him.
If a player drives his shoulder into another player anywhere between above the knees and below the neck… play on.
There you go. As black and white as a Western Suburbs Magpies’ jersey.
No excuses like “his shoulder hit the body first then bounced off and into his head”.
If you take a risk and go in for a shoulder charge and you hit the player’s head, even if it’s after a ricochet off the torso, then you’re off. But why on earth have they outlawed a unique component that the masses love to see?
Personally, I’ve been floored by shoulder charges on many occasions. Only one out of many connected with my head.
I’d like to say hats off to the NRL for the way they are dealing with head high tackles. There’s absolutely no place for headhunters in our game. The NRL has sent a clear message early and good on them. Just don’t eradicate our beloved shoulder charge to make your point!
What I’m actually more worried about are some of the injuries that are a result of wrestling and grappling.
Big, strong, fast, explosive athletes colliding is one thing, but finding yourself in an entangled mess of limbs on the way down to the ground at speed with incredible force is something that is far scarier than a one-off collision.
Many clubs have jujitsu as part of their schedules. Although it’s a great skill and a well respected martial art, it can turn into all kinds of disaster when you have 100kg-plus athletes trying to pull these holds and manoeuvres off at split second speeds.
I’ve had my back broken, limbs stretched and contorted. I’ve had my face slammed into the ground and fingers and ankles twisted during some on-field wrestling incidents, and the vast majority of these were unintentional! It’s just the end result of wrestling techniques trying to to be executed at game speed.
A ‘legal’ (above knee and below neck) shoulder charge is the least of a player’s worries.
I say, bring back the shoulder charge and continue to heavily police the wrestling… That way our Sonny Bills and Steve Matais can make the NRL highlight packages as awesome as ever. And with heavy policing of wrestling, we can keep people as injury-free as possible.
What are your thoughts? Shoulder charge to come back or to stay on the banned list? Wrestling? Let’s see those comments legends!
Eric Grothe Jr plays wing with the Cronulla Sharks this season in the National Rugby League, having previously played with the Eels and the Sydney Roosters. He has has also represented New South Wales, Australia and City, and has scored 67 first grade tries.
Angela
Guest
It's always those few that want to break the rules or stretch them as far as they can that cause the damage. It's a shame that we can't trust these athletes to do the right thing by each other. A
Never Never
Guest
Boz- Unlike the shoulder charge there's no safe spear tackle as its always a direct attack on the head/neck.
John Henry
Guest
Well you didn't disappoint. an article on the shoulder charge. Hard hitting stuff. Pardon the pun. Very predictable follow up to your last insightful offering. What next? The salary cap? It's a shame that this garbage reads no differently to the garbage wheeled out by the keyboard warriors that commentate on our game
Eric Grothe
Guest
You make very valid points mate. Well said. Cheers.
Eric Grothe
Guest
Hi mate. I myself, and I'm tipping majority of NRL players, strongly disagree that a shoulder charge is the equivalent to a coward punch. I've been on the receiving end if many and most of those many were front on. There's examples of sneaky, blindside charges but we're not in a pub having a quiet beer wondering what sauce we're going to have on our 2am kebabs....we're playing a contact sport! We know there's a collision at the end of our hit up! You're right in saying they'll never bring it back though. I for one am spewing! Cheers for the comment mate.
Eric Grothe
Guest
Hi mate. I myself, and I'm tipping majority of NRL players, strongly disagree that a shoulder charge is the equivalent to a coward punch. I've been on the receiving end if many and most of those many were front on. There's examples of sneaky, blindside charges but we're not in a pub having a quiet beer wondering what sauce we're going to have on our 2am kebabs....we're playing a contact sport! We know there's a collision at the end of our hit up! You're right in saying they'll never bring it back though. I for one am spewing! Cheers for the comment mate.
fishes
Guest
FACT: rugby league will die unless they bring back the shoulder charge. Head injuries in the NFL are completely different. Head contact has ALWAYS been illegal in RL.
Johnno
Guest
Ban high balls, you have to left it bounce ban all forms of grubber kicks so know one gets a stray elbow to the head in-goal ban tackling ban the shoulder shoulder charge I know let's just ban rugby league lol it's heading that way. The sport formerly known as "rugby league". chucked in the bins of history. Thanks for the memories RL see ya lol.
Eric Grothe
Guest
The truth is, you can actually still shoulder charge, as long as the defenders arm is away from their body. If the arm is bent at the elbow or even in line with the body, then it's considered a "shoulder charge"... The NRL sent two ex players around to every club to explain what is and isn't considered a shoulder charge and it was made clear that leading with your shoulder is fine, but only when the arm is away from the body. Very ambiguous.
Minkus
Guest
Could not agree more. I heard Todd Greenberg saying they will continue to make unpopular decisions that are in the best interest of the players welfare but how far will they go? Even jumping for a bomb is dangerous. Sure they cant be hit in the air legally but it is stiill a risk with many bodies around. So do they ban this next? what about grubber kicks when the fullback puts his body on the line to dive for it. Ban this? have it so when the ball hits the ground its called a dead ball? Have never seen so many disenchanted league fans as the last 2 years. Crowds and TV rating are no surprise at all.
fishes
Guest
If only the NRL had the balls to suspend Greg Inglis for 8 weeks for his hit on Dean Young we wouldn't be having this conversation.
fishes
Guest
Stapo is average at best.
fishes
Guest
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... contact with the head has NEVER been legal in rugby league. What part about that don't you get?
turbodewd
Guest
A stationary player being vertically lifted - easy!
Steve
Guest
Sorry Eric but you've clearly missed all the memos about head contact sport (NRL, NFL, rugby). Can't see it coming back ever. If not having shoulder charges in the game is all it takes for some people to not want to follow league anymore, that's their choice. But from a player wellfair point of view the decision is pretty straight forward.
The High Shot
Roar Pro
No, I'm honestly not. The athletes that play the game have never been bigger, faster, fitter or more skillful. The mucking around at the edges of the rules is primarily designed to protect them. So be it. The game has never looked better IMO, and I've watched since the early 80s.
Alex
Guest
The High Shot you have nailed the problem right there! The tackle has become about stopping the ball not the man. When I learned to play it and was taught how to tackle it was too stop the man - by going low or drive in around the waist and drive and put him on his back. Now nearly every tackle they go high and wrestle him to the ground when years ago they just tackled the man. I agree with Steve Mortimer bring back the 5m and ban wrestling - if they want to wrestle go and wrestle. The game was just as if not more exciting back in the day anyway. to me the game has changed so much that I have lost interest in it as well.
Johnno
Guest
Who says banning the shoulder change is moveing with the times, Alvin Purple. Who sets these moving with the times, you. You trendsetter Alvin Purple lol like the movie Alvin Purple in the 70's. Well under your reckoning definition of moving with the times, the relativiely new sport of UFC should be banned! Oh and all shoulder charges in ice hockey must be banned, what about banning snowboarding, which is a new sport at Olympic level like UFC relitvatley very new. So moving with the times to you alvin purple is banning all contact sports, new martial arts sports, snowboarding, whats next banning car racing that goes at 300km per hour like F1. Should we make car racing only at 250 km/hr as it would eliminate risk more of serious injuries, despite it being less exciting. Wow repressing fans desire for high intensity sport is your idea of moveing with the times.
Alvin Purple
Guest
cameron - the world changes and RL needs to move with the times. Would you prefer RL to be like RU where for anything to change it takes an eternity? RL has become a faster and better spectacle this year and I for one am enjoying it more than I have in the last 10 years.
The Barry
Roar Guru
dumb