Frizell: Verb; to be wrongly charged with striking an official

The words callous, heartless, brutal, savage or vindictive are words describing something of a violent nature. What they don’t describe however, are the actions of Tyson Frizell and his now infamous referee-touching incident.

For those unfamiliar with what transpired, the blues backrower was sighted, and then immaturely suspended for touching a referee during the Dragons’ loss to the Bulldogs last weekend.

The incident was trivial, as Frizell ascended from the turf after conceding a penalty, he attempted to side step referee Chris James and in doing so, planted a hand on James’ left rib cage as to gesture to step past him.

It’s something you’d frequently see at the local on a Friday night, the way a man steps around someone who has his back turned as you try and pass him with a few schooners in hand.

Now this is not the first time this type of ‘incident’ has been punished this season. And I, and the majority of NRL fans, get it. We don’t want players in the NRL showing disrespect for officials, so that young players uphold the same values. Understood. But this has gone way too far, and here is the solution.

Chris James, and any other NRL referee for that matter, should have the responsibility of putting a player on report if he or she feels that a touch/strike/hit on them was intentional or done so in intimidating fashion.

I don’t care if this happens at the time, or post game, but what it does is it removes this stupid idea that every touch on an NRL referee is a suspendable act. And what’s worse, there are photos all over the internet of JT doing something very similar and escaping punishment – that debate is for another time.

You tell me what is worse, what Frizell did, or what Wade Graham did on Monday in lying to gain an advantage? One got suspended, one walked away scot free, go figure.

To further this idea, the punishment for players whose contact is deemed chargeable should be a fine, not a suspension.

What the NRL needs to realise is to keep the game functioning and competing in today’s market, the best players need to be on the field, bringing crowds to the game.

Now I’m not saying savage head-high tackles or eye gouging goes unpunished, but I’m saying petty crimes like that of Frizell should not result in week(s) on the sideline.

If a player is a repeat offender, lets say three times in a season, then suspend them for bringing the game into disrepute or whatever title you want to tag them with, but only do so at this point in time.

What is the result of Frizell’s suspension? Already Dragons fans that I know have boycotted the idea of attending Thursday’s game in Wollongong. They are fed up and want to see their favourite player on the field.

It’s time the NRL realised that today’s culture is a participatory one. Fans, journalists and people in the media all want the best for the game, yet not one is listened to. We want to work together to continue to build this game, not destroy it. Why can’t the NRL work with us rather than against us?