Cameron Smith free to play Origin I

But then Smith can say if it's done to him, he can do it to other players. It's a stupid analogy. When Smith does it, he should (and has been) charged, just like every other player.

It shows that if your in a glass house, you shouldnt throw stones!

if he bit someone instead would that also be ok because it was a reaction? got to take responsibility for his actions and that includes ones that are provoked. ur right though, effectively a stern warning like he got is enough

he knew something was there but didnt know what so kicking out like that is reckless especially after he felt the first few make contact. you cant just plead ignorance when the stakes are high like they are with studs flying around near humans. .

Sure, but doesn't change the situation does it.

It is hard to focus on much when your oxygen supply being restricted. Smith would never do that would he... http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2008/09/15/va1237330485501/Cameron-Smith-6251863.jpg

totally agree. Get someone to choke you and see what your reaction is. The kicking is a reaction , not an action. Smith is no cleanskin but he doesn't deserve to miss an Origin game because of this.

Why do that sort of a thing in the first place? Oh Smith (as allot of players in the NRL) was trying to milk a penalty as all these players do when they do that sort of a thing. It's about time that players were warned that doing that sort of a thing when they are tackled will not earn them a penalty but they will be penalised. It's really annoying to see players do that when they are tackled and act like they are held back and in most cases they get a free kick.

Carlos, I will bet that you are one of those blokes that thinks that Carney deserves another chance or that Paul Gallen is some sort of saint aren't you ? Whilst I am not a smith fan per se, your rant is totally without reason. On the whole, he is a pretty decent bloke who certainly would not deliberately injure another player. He will take every advantage he can within the rules is true but that is what he is paid to do. This was one of those unfortunate things that happen in a tough sport . I suggest you save your tirade for some of those players that truly deserve it.

Imgur ftw

When you look at the video there is no way Smith knew what happened. It's an unfortunate incident and he isn't as clean skin as the media would have you believe. But he is being choked with an elbow, has no possible line of sight and made absolutely no reaction to the incident afterwards. He may have known there was something there but so what. I think he is entitled to try and get away from an elbow to the throat however he can.

Yeah, I thought it was a headbutt too. They need to pull those up. A much worse look than punching, and they seem to be escalating every time I see one. From the fairly mild head touch between Thurston and Reynolds last Origin through to what I thought was a headbutt by Grant..

Until someone loses their eye. Seen the bottom of football boots lately? The game has gone this way because of many cameras, wanting to attract mummy's little athletes & OH&S/duty of care (also see lawyers).

When I played football you learnt to either take the hits or get out of the way, I'm sick of these nothing incidents getting players in trouble cuase the whole game gone bloody soft

yeah right...he knew exactly what he was doing

Looks like a standard storm tackle to me.

http://i.imgur.com/loB1GmD.jpg The above photo shows why Smith was kicking in the tackle. It should of been a penalty to the Storm. Hard to focus on anything if your oxygen supply is being restricted.

Why was he kicking out? He is and has been a professional footballer a long time and a long time ago it was quite common but the powers that be put out a memo that the tackled player has no right to lash/kick out with their feet, even if they do think they are being stopped from getting up. The really bad thing was he lashed out 4, yes 4, times with his boot. The ball was in his hand- what did he think he was kicking?

Luke got suspended for a tip tackle, not for lashing out with the boot. They did not even happen in the same game.

Cam Smith is the best hooker/forward I have ever seen but that doesn't prevent him from being a very sly offender in the ruck with the wrestle and the hand on the ball (and unlike all the other dopes he gets away with it) nor having a mad/vicious streak that surfaces occasionally. His most noteworthy effort was his attempt to screw Sam Thaiday's head from his shoulders in 2008...luckily Thaiday has a neck like a bull and Cam avoided being the first Storm player to cripple an opponent. In last Friday's game it appeared that he was really dirty on himself for kicking three balls out on the full so he deliberately worked it out on Isaac Luke...as in the Thaiday affair he was fortunate that Luke had a face that stood up well to the assault. The Channel 9 Crew were shocked by his action but much more concerned that Cam would miss Origin I. Whew, what do you know? So was the review panel.