The NRL match review committee did the right thing in charging Issac Luke for his dangerous throw on Sonny Bill Williams, and if the judiciary panel doesn’t suspend him it would need a very good reason.
The fact the game Luke would miss if he was suspended is a grand final isn’t that very good reason. I don’t buy the argument that because it’s the biggest game of the year that should be taken into account when it comes to penalty.
If Luke had faced a similar charge in, say, round 16, and taken the early guilty plea and missed a game, no-one would have batted an eyelid, but because a chance to play in a grand final is at stake all hell breaks loose.
I get why. It’s a massive occasion and a fabulous opportunity. But I still don’t see why that should change the standard approach. If the league wanted to make adjustments to the rules for the sake of big games like grand finals, then surely it would have done so by now.
A perceived lack of consistency is overwhelmingly the major criticism of the match review committee this season, and I certainly support the theory that they have been inconsistent with their decisions in relation to charges.
But they got it right on this occasion and now it is up to the judiciary panel to decide whether Luke goes down or gets a reprieve.
It should be noted that the match review committee didn’t smash Luke. If he had a clean record then an early guilty plea on the grade one charge would see him avoid suspension and there would be no drama. It is his prior record that has pushed his penalty points tally over the limit.
Does anyone really think he shouldn’t have faced any charge at all for the tackle on Williams?
It’s very unfortunate for Luke that he has run into such trouble at this stage of the season, but, let’s face it, the timing is his own fault.
The league is supposed to be cracking down on dangerous throws for an obviously very good reason. If Luke hadn’t been charged it would have been a bad look for the game.
Now, if he can go to a hearing and his defence team can mount a valid and strong argument that results in a not guilty verdict, then good luck to him. But that is the only way it should happen.
The inevitable wave of sentiment in Luke’s favour shouldn’t have any influence on the outcome.
There has been talk that Williams could be called to give evidence on behalf of Luke. Williams has already been quoted in the media saying it was a nothing tackle and that it would be wrong if Luke missed a grand final because of it.
Williams giving evidence wouldn’t hurt Luke’s case, but it wouldn’t necessarily help it, either. I don’t know if it would mean anything.
Many years ago, it wasn’t unusual for the victims of offences to provide evidence in support of charged players, but the practice seemed to fade out in time.
Presumably, it was because it too often seemed fairly obvious that players were driven by the desire to look after fellow players and that the actual reason the hearing was on in the first place was of secondary importance to them.
What impact any evidence from Williams might have, we would have to wait and see.
Anyway, grand final week has got its grand final week dramas, with the charge against South Sydney hooker Luke and the foot injury to Canterbury hooker and captain Michael Ennis.
It would appear Ennis has no chance of playing, after suffering fractures to his foot.
The wording of a Bulldogs media release, which said the club’s medical staff would work overtime on him but that he faces an uphill battle to be fit, gives the impression it is braced for the worst-case scenario but out of respect doesn’t want to rule Ennis out until he has come to terms with his fate.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Could say the same thing about the Reynolds on Tate tackle, which Reynolds got a Grade 1 for.
Christian
Guest
The tackle which has Issac Luke facing the judiciary panel this week should never cost a player a suspension, let alone see a player in danger of missing a match like a grand final. At the most it warrants a penalty and a caution on the run during the course of play. I totally understand the sensitivity around lifting tackles and players falling awkwardly in tackles. However, we need people who understand the game dealing with these issues, not the knee-jerk panic from people who have never played the game chasing their tails trying to administer accidents and heavy collisions out of rugby league. The overzealous nature of our match review committee, the edicts handed down to the judiciary in dealing with such matters, the early plea, the loadings, the carry-over points – it all eventually comes back to bite when we see a player unfairly suspended in this manner. Look at how in other instances the match review has suddenly turned a blind eye to incidents because we are in finals mode. I actually agree with a number of the recent decisions not to charge players, but there are players scratching their heads at being charged for lesser offences during the course of the season. It makes a farce of it all. The whole system needs a review. The game's rules have been changed and modified so often by people with no real understanding of the ramifications of such changes. The same goes for the ultra-conservative and over-cautious concussion regulations. We all get player welfare and we all look after our players better than at any time in history. However, we also need to protect our game from the minority voices and personal campaigns from people who have never played the game. If we keep bowing to doctors, lawyers and the media with their crusades, then the game will eventually be played no more. There, I said it.
Ed Cullen
Guest
Issac, put it behind you ! Get to training & play your GF now by assisting your replacement in any way that you can, give him the moves, the clues, the whatever, assist your other mates use that broad experience that you have & it will make you feel good inside & also a big part of the GF .... Good luck Ed
Adam
Guest
Are you saying the NRL wants Souths to win?! Outrageous!!
Adam
Guest
"It was barely over the horizontal". I hope your not going to defend him at the judiciary, cause you just lost the case with your opening statement.
Adam
Guest
Because if it was Greg Inglis he would have tucked his head in so it landed first and he got the penalty and a player suspended...
Muzz
Guest
Still waiting for that article Chris That nose is growing again
Shouts Chen
Guest
What if Isaac luke gets injured again?
Chris morrison
Guest
No I don't recall it being a manly muzz, just Muzz. There could maybe be two blokes called Muzz, not too sure on that one. If you are implying that you only make comment on Roosters articles then that is bullshit my red, white and blue friend.
Slartibartfast
Guest
That's how I basically see it as well. there other some other mitigating circumstances as we'll. But yes I agree.
The eye
Guest
People will believe what they want to believe..would the head have hit the ground 1st ? No,elbow did..if he didn't put the hand out would the head have hit ? no,the shoulder did...Have a big one on Sunday,Luke !
Muzz
Guest
So maybe the name of that roarer was ManlyMuzz? Think mate.
Chris morrison
Guest
You have probably already forgotten because you didn't win this year.
Chris morrison
Guest
Once again as I have stated, the post was not about Inglis. It was involving Manly vs Souths. You support the Roosters.
In Brief
Guest
thanks Dumbo
Muzz
Guest
What post about Inglis? What team do is support Chris?
Chris morrison
Guest
You will be waiting a long time for that article, as I already stated I have unsubscribed from that discussion and therefore do not have access to it.
Chris morrison
Guest
I didn't apologise to you for calling you a clown, that reply was for "the Barry." So who's all over the place? A difference in opinion, not unlike myself and at least one other who disagree about your post regarding Inglis. Take heed to your own advice.
Muzz
Guest
Still waiting for that article, Chris How hard could it be?
Muzz
Guest
Again your all over the place.You called someone else a clown. Check the time of that post and then my 1st post. It's not up to me to decide Luke's fate.The Roar is about sporting opinion.If you can't handle a difference of opinion then go to The Burrow.