David Klemmer has enjoyed a successful visit to the NRL judiciary for the second time this year, after being found not guilty of making illegal contact with referee Ben Cummins.
The judiciary panel of Don McKinnon, Paul Whatuira and Bob Lindner deliberated for nine minutes on Wednesday night before handing down a not guilty verdict to the contrary conduct charge against Canterbury forward Klemmer stemming from Thursday’s win over Penrith.
The decision has further muddied the waters of the NRL’s crackdown on players making contact with referees.
Cummins seemingly broke ranks to give evidence in support of Klemmer that must have held significant sway with the panel.
“I didn’t notice him making contact with me at the time,” Cummins said.
The grand final whistleblower said he didn’t realise Klemmer had touched him until he was alerted to the charge laid by the match review committee at his review session the following day.
Cummins said he was attempting to prevent a possible escalation of a situation between Bulldogs forward Tim Browne and Panthers playmaker Jamie Soward, after penalising Browne, when Klemmer touched him.
Klemmer expressed his relief to waiting media post-verdict and said: “I have a great respect for the officials”.
Klemmer’s defence counsel Nick Ghabar described the contact as “momentary, light, innocuous and minimal”.
“It was minor contact at best,” he said.
“It would be almost ludicrous to suggest it wasn’t in the spirit of the game.
“It was an act of frivolity or foolishness. It wasn’t an aggressive or threatening act … that is a fact.
“Klemmer wanted to quell the situation. He was the peacemaker.”
In evidence, Ghabar pointed to audio in which Klemmer could be heard saying to Cummins: “we have a player down, sir”, in reference to five-eighth Josh Reynolds who was receiving treatment downfield.
Judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew stopped the hearing for five minutes at one stage and cleared the room as he queried the line of Ghabar’s questioning.
Judiciary prosecutor Peter McGrath described the contact as “avoidable”.
“It matters not that it wasn’t intimidating; it matters not that it wasn’t aggressive; it matters not the referee didn’t see it that way. You cannot touch the referee.”
However, the panel didn’t share his view.
Klemmer is free to play in the Dogs’ round-three clash with Parramatta on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
The NSW enforcer also fronted the judiciary last month, when he was found not guilty of a “torpedo” tackle on Melbourne’s Kenny Bromwich.
Earlier on Wednesday night, North Queensland prop Matt Scott was found not guilty of a crusher tackle.
Big J
Guest
I think your right, I think the dogs will struggle this year especially with the interchange rule, no secret the Bulldogs have a big pack and players tire easily. But only time will tell . Oh well. time for the Gold Coast v tigers should be close, go the Titans ?talk to you again soon mate ?
johny bulldog
Guest
Minor speed bump mate its going to be one of those seasons :)
Big J
Guest
Mate what happened? Oh we'll always next week?
Big J
Guest
i could explain but you just call it another wild baseless conspiracy theory so that's pointless plus they won again in 2012 against the Bulldogs so I just leave it alone knowing that it all ended well
johny bulldog
Guest
He got off & rightfully so google it mate enjoy the footy tonight go the mighty Doggies! :)
Big J
Guest
have not see it yet so won't comment until I do. But on a whole off for an every shower he goes
johny bulldog
Guest
He touched a ref last nite
The Barry
Roar Guru
When they were robbed 40-0. While cheating the salary cap. Daylight robbery.
Big J
Guest
Absolutelty agree the storm busted for cap breaches, drug use at the Titans and so on but I'll still will never like the dogs/manly but you enjoy the football and your weekend and I look forward to further discussion about more topic. Enjoy.
Big J
Guest
Sorry I unclear to what you are talking about, what about him?
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
I tried to reply to this Big J but my post was moderated....lets just say do your own history on the teams that you follow & you'll find its not all that rosy...enjoy your weekend mate...talk/argue soon :)
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
What did you think about Ethan Lowe last night Big J...give him 10 years hard labor I reckon :)
Big J
Guest
So according to you every team that has been found for cap breaches should be gone ok so bye bye dogs, eels, storm, Broncos and maybe the roosters, sounds fair that still leaves me with the warriors, rabbioths, Titans and Cowboys to cheer for. Fair enough
Big J
Guest
That good Friday game last year and it might of been Morris, anyway you cares it was a dogs player. Storm cheating yeah not good for the game but it makes up for the times they were robbed of the 06 and 08 grand finals
The Barry
Roar Guru
Don't overthink it Thomas. Physically he's 6'1 and a 100kgs. Mentally he's 4'4 and 35kgs.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I can't find any record of it. Can you help...
thomas the tank engine
Guest
why are my posts takng so long to be moderated?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm fine with that. It's like a knock on, accidental or not, it's still a scrum feed to the opposition. Touch a referee and it's an automatic penalty to the opposition, incidental or not. If the ref feels threatened or disrespected, boom, ten-minute sinbin.
thomas the tank engine
Guest
Your a Melbourne Storm supporter. Are you serious? your team cheated the comp for years. they would be the first team kicked out of the comp when push comes to shove, fair go mate! . Do you know what a hypocrite is? i will give you an idea, its not a big round animal that lives in Africa.
thomas the tank engine
Guest
You follow the game so closely, answer me when did Reynolds kick LUCAS like you said in one of your earlier posts. Who is this Lucas that Reynolds kicked? What is a penalty solid as as you mentioned in your last post? What does that mean? Anyway, you come across as nothing less than solid following 5 teams. The best part is you follow the storm......they did cheat the comp for 3 years. Shouldn't they be kicked out. Anyway, i don't think you are serious, i think you are taking the p..s.