Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has called for a rethink of the NRL judiciary loading system in the wake of Greg Bird’s eight-week ban.
Bird was hit hard after being found guilty of a dangerous throw on Jason Nightingale during Sunday’s trans-Tasman Test.
The Gold Coast Titans back-rower was charged with a grade two dangerous throw, an offence that usually carries a three-week ban.
However because of Bird’s poor record, he was rubbed out for the next two months.
Under the rules, if a player has been found guilty of a similar offence in the previous two years, their charge incurs a 50 per cent loading. If they have have been guilty of a non-similar offence in the past 48 months, the charge carries an extra 20 per cent.
Because Bird had been found guilty of three similar offences in that time his penalty ballooned and the NSW stalwart will miss this year’s State of Origin series.
Robinson said the fact Bird had been charged with dangerous tackles four times since 2013 demonstrated he had a problem that needed to be addressed.
However he said minor offences were having too much bearing on some players’ bans.
He said the NRL was considering altering the rules so that grade one charges would not carry a loading, a move that had his support.
“I think the match review committee are doing a good job,” he said.
“They’ve been on the front foot with issues in our game and they’ve put pressure on clubs and players to improve in those areas.
“I do think the loading on some really minor offences can have a really big affect.
“So there has been some talk about the grade ones not having a loading affect and I am a supporter of that.
“For a minor change that has a 20 per cent loading or could have a 50 per cent loading, it can have an affect at critical times.”
He said Bird’s poor record showed he was deserving of a ban. However some players were being harshly punished because of previous minor offences.
“If it was something that was a year-and-a-half ago and two grade ones turning into a two-week ban for something that wouldn’t have resulted in a ban otherwise, I think that needs to be looked at.
“If something has happened four or five times, we need to look at that.”
Ian
Guest
I think the best way to address dangerous tackles is to send players off for doing them. Losing your team the game is likely to have a bigger impact on the player, his coach and team mates than any suspensions.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
...
Pot Stirrer
Guest
u would be right but then this wouldnt be social media if we didnt have the hysterical types latching on to something to cry about.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Are u seriously saying Aitken didnt take a dive ?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I thought Robinson was simply suggesting that non-related offences ought not to count in determining the penalty. That seems reasonable.
Ginger meggs
Guest
Trent Robinson seems to have a soft spot for the "Real Mean Men of League", who play the game with lots of emotion, aggression and foul play. He has a handful of them in his team so it figures.
scott
Guest
He was lucky to BE on the field in that test match. He should never have been picked in the first place.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
He was lucky to stay on the field in that test match.
HarryT
Guest
And apparently his outrage at diving for head shots isn't matched with his outrage for milking penalties pretending to be held down like we saw from Pearce and RTS last night. Hypocritical goose.
Brian S
Guest
I have NO problem with birds 8 weeks!!! he just doesn't get it!!! if he does it again which i hope he doesn't! but he is not the sharpest tool in the shed make his suspension 20 weeks!!!!! i'am TOTALLY over people sticking up for this DILL!!!
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Took the words right out of my mouth crosscoder. Spear tackles have morphed into lifting tackles but they're still bloody dangerous and another one happened in last nights game by a Bronco. Long suspensions are the correct penalty to save someones ability to walk. Absolutely no sympathy for anyone who does it.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Is Trent Robinson for real?. Bird has had this problem at least 3 times prior.He actually had an NRL official visit him earlier this year advising him ,he has to change his tackling technique. In view of what transpired with the Newcastle player,surely Bird who is a gifted player got the message.apparently not.If this tackle had received a far lesser penalty there would have been hell to play.These lifting tackles should never be tolerated and certainly after the 4th time,a long holiday should be invoked. Sometimes coaches such as Bennett ,and now Robinson (and excellent coaches BTW) should use a little obvious discretion and close their lips.They too are supposed to set an example,by the way they coach.
The Barry
Roar Guru
So a player needs to offend 4 or 5 times before he deserves a suspension? I would have thought Robinson would have the good grace to keep quiet about the judiciary after he got Napa off a charge by unfairly labelling Aiken a diver.