In 2016, a worrying trend has emerged in the NRL. And I’m not referring to referring mistakes or bunker blunders.
I’m referring to the act of cowardice that is tripping.
It is one of the most pathetic things a player can do on a football field. It is a disgrace on the player, the team and the sport.
In the past, tripping an opponent was an immediate send off. In the modern era, players aren’t even put on report.
Over the course of the last few seasons – especially in the opening seven rounds of 2016 – tripping has become rather commonplace, with players no longer fearing being sent off or even sin binned.
More often than not, players aren’t even put on report for tripping. It appears that the players out there just don’t fear the punishment.
The grade one charge for tripping is a lowly 75 demerit points. That isn’t even a one-week suspension for an act which can cause serious injury and is in contrast with the spirit of the game.
There are several ways to stop tripping. The most obvious is to bring back the send off. The other option is to increase the charge for tripping.
Increase a grade one charge to 225 points, and a player with a good record will miss at least one week. That will stop players from tripping quick smart.
Whatever the NRL does however, they just need to eradicate this blight from the game once and for all.
Ivoreel
Guest
Tripping should be ten in the bin or even send off. Players should not be allowed to get away with the more serious offences on the field. They will start being more careful with these when their team is disadvantaged on the field for the offence. Coaches will then also start pulling them into line.
Ian
Guest
You just know nothing will happen until someone gets a broken leg from a trip.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Yeah nah John. It's always been on a level with eye gouging on the lowest acts on a rugby league field. It isn't even a difficult one to enforce. You tackle with your arms, if you can't use your shoulder a'la a shoulder charge, how can a trip be a grey area. Taking dives should be a send off too. Voluntary tackles should be a send off... Bad hairstyles should be ten in the bin.
John
Guest
The danger with automatically pinging tripping is we may see a proliferation of soccer-like dives in efforts to get opposition players sent off or to milk penalties.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Well he's escaped any meaningful sanction. The quoted 75 points and no loss of playing time unless he pleads, in which case he'll apparently get one week suspension if he loses the appeal. What is this.? Are the lunatics in charge of the assylum.
MAX
Guest
Agreed TB. The rule states 'No player can trip up another player on purpose' For mine, we should start at 275. It's hard to accept that a trip can be accidental.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed. Tripping would have been an automatic send off back in the day...and you'd probably be going to the sheds with an aching jaw. 75 points is ridiculous. But how is it coming back into the game? You're taught from under 7s that it is the lowest of the low. What's happening at NRL level that players are over riding 13+ years of ingrained indoctrination for it to suddenly be so rife? Get rid of it.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
An anomaly or a trend. Classic, gave me a belly laugh. Cheers.
pete bloor
Guest
I was thinking that this week - gee it seems tripping ahs suddenly just taken off. The NRL is probably just waiting to see if it is an anomaly or a trend.
MAX
Guest
Because they are too focused on which one of the ten selections will be applied at the next ruck.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Remember years ago when Alfie had to totally change his tackling technique because it was borderline tripping. He didn't quite trip, but it was super close and he was coached to change his ways. What's going on now is just blatant tripping. Hang 'em high. How can the officials let this sort of stuff go unpunished.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Melbourne forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona should be given a month off after his sneaky trip on Moses yesterday. Imagine losing a player for a month or more with a leg injury, whilst the offender escapes all forms of punishment for what has to be one of the lowest dog acts on a footy field. The NRL need to send a big message immediately, and I couldn't think of a club more deserving of a fitting punishment than The Storm.