On Tuesday, Glenn Stewart admitted to taking a dive to get an obstruction penalty in Monday night’s game against North Queensland.
Stewart told the media he deliberately fell after running into Ethan Lowe as Michael Morgan went on to score, because he knew he wasn’t going to get to Morgan to stop the try.
The on-field referee sent the try to the video ref, who came back with a no try ruling.
I applaud Stewart for being honest, as we want to encourage that behaviour from players. The only problem is that what he is admitting to is disgraceful.
Diving should not be accepted in our game. It’s poor sportsmanship and looks terrible.
It’s bad enough that we have players staying down to get a penalty. In Saturday afternoon’s game between the Titans and Eels, Greg Bird stayed down after being brushed in the head. The referees reviewed the footage and saw that he was barely touched and rightly called play on.
There is no way a player as tough as Bird would have been injured from contact as soft as that. It was obvious the only reason Bird stayed down was to get a penalty.
The NRL are in a tough position with the Stewart situation, because the video referee has made an incorrect call and by punishing Stewart they are publicly confirming that. Stewart’s flippant comment will now have a flow-on affect, as referees will now look deeper in to whether a player is diving or not.
It’s something that should already be part of their decision-making process, however if they think about it too long or put too much emphasis on it, they will get it wrong.
The only way to get diving out of the game is to take a stand. If action isn’t taken soon, the game will end up with the same reputation as soccer.
The NRL need to fine Stewart and not worry about the backlash from making an incorrect call. They need to change the rules so that any player who stays down to get a penalty is penalised if it’s deemed they aren’t legit.
Players are going to do what they can to get the win, but the game needs to stop allowing this, and if a player is at risk of being penalised for staying down or taking a dive, they’ll stop doing it very quickly.
Mike from Tari
Guest
You people should get a life & read the history of Rugby League, these one upsmanships have been going on for over 100 years & the halfbacks have been at the forefront so Paul Green is a disgrace to the halfbacks Union by complaining.
matty matt
Guest
SVB, name an NRL player that has been convicted of glassing? cleared by the courts but dont let that get in the way of your point. and of course all European footballers behave impeccably
SVB
Guest
Maybe he should consider glassing someone or urinating in his own mouth.
Tricky Ricky
Guest
Glenn Stewart is playing the wrong game and should consider taking up soccer. The NRL should crack down on actions like Stewart's and suspend him for contrary conduct and unsportsmanship. This is the NRL not the A League!
up in the north
Roar Rookie
He should get a game for being stupid enough to admit doing it.
turbodewd
Guest
he has admitted diving, he has brought the game into disrepute. Why cant they suspend him for a few games?
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Glenn Stewart is made of money. Players won't worry if they cop a little fine. Give him a game on the sidelines, and if there's an instance of repeat offending, more games.
lmm040183
Guest
If you stay down to milk a penalty, mandatory concussion test and 20 minutes off the field.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
I reckon all divers should be awarded with a trophy. Have them front up on stage and be awarded with a 'Professional Diver' award and pretty soon they should become too embarrassed to continue.
Lroy
Guest
At least he owned up to it. Hard to believe the video ref couldn't pick up he took a dive. As for players faking injuries, well its play on until the stretcher comes on the field, after that he cant come back on. simple.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I don't understand how admitting after the fact is going to encourage a dialogue from current players to eradicate these acts from the game. I look forward to a ref looking at a player on the ground after a dive and hearing him say " get up you're not hurt, or I'll give you something to cry about." Worked for me when I was a kid.
Hayley Maher
Roar Pro
I'm flattered that you remember my articles.
Jeremy
Guest
The answer is for the referee to not say "he's milking it" but to penalise him.
Jeremy
Guest
Fans hate it but the NRL, coaches and players think this stuff is clever gamesmanship. League is eating itself & will soon be unwatchable.
matty matt
Guest
hows your favourite Tepai Moeroa going now?
Sean Bell
Roar Rookie
I was going to say smack him with a fine but after thinking about it i'm not so sure. I applaud his candid statements, his honesty is refreshing. If he cops a massive fine then i think players will keep taking dives, they just wont ever admit to it again. Stewart's comments allow for a discussion about this diving plauge, now let a few more players admit to it. Clarify what defines and how to identify a dive and then start handing out the fines. Dives like Bird's, a daytime soap opera worthy performance, could be eradicated by stopping the video ref from calling penalties, leave it to the on field ref's, They'll start calling head high shots again if they know the video ref can't.