Jack Wighton’s NRL season could be over with the Canberra fullback sensationally cited for a shoulder charge.
Wighton has been slapped with a grade two citation by the match review committee for his hit on Joel Edwards in the Raiders’ final round 52-10 win over Wests Tigers on Sunday.
The star fullback faces a ban of up to four matches if found guilty.
If he chooses an early guilty plea he will miss three games.
The NRL took the unusual move of explaining their reasoning when issuing Monday’s charge sheet after Cronulla hooker Michael Ennis avoided a ban for an apparently similar tackle.
“We look for three key indicators when determining whether a shoulder charge has been made,” match review committee co-ordinator Michael Buettner said.
“They are:
1. The upper arm of the defender must be tucked in to his side at contact
2. The defender is making no attempt to wrap in the tackle with both arms
3. There is forceful contact by the defender to any part of the body of the attacking player.
“If all three of these indicators are clearly identified in an incident then a player will be charged with a shoulder charge.”
Canberra declined to comment when contacted by AAP.
However it is expected they will challenge the charge at the judiciary this week ahead of Saturday night’s qualifying final against Cronulla.
Wighton’s charge carries significant loading because he has two prior offences in the past two years.
Wighton was put on report for the hit on Edwards but in Sunday’s post-match press conference Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said he was not concerned, considering Ennis was let off.
“I’m not worried after I heard Michael Ennis got off,” he said.
“But I’m glad Michael Ennis got off, because I don’t think there has been enough of a common sense approach in these collisions.
“Jack said he hit Edwards with his head, so I am not concerned.”
Raiders captain Jarrod Croker added: “It was a head clash, Jack had his hands up. I am sure he will be fine.”
However Buettner said ” there was a clear difference in the tackle performed by Sharks hooker Michael Ennis who was not charged and the Wighton tackle”.
“In the case of Michael Ennis, it’s very clear that the left arm of Ennis is away from his body and not tucked into his side.
“So no charge was laid.”
disgusted
Guest
Hmm, Allianz then? ;)
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Here's an idea. How about Wighton play fair not shoulder charge people and you all won't have to blow up at the MRC?
Jono
Guest
A bigger surprise is if the MRC managed to go a week without looking crooked and/or inept at their job.
John
Guest
I wonder what results we would get if MRC was drug tested, a lot of their results seems enhanced.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Good luck with that Harry. Not to sure how many will be left tomorrow morning. Really hope you get some tickets as this is an occasion not to be missed for diehard supporters. The point I'm making is members who have been to every game during the season - rain, hail, sleet or shine don't get the option to secure the seats they've been sitting in for the whole season. Surely Ticketek could offer that option on the Monday morning for a couple of hours and after that open it up to all members for another couple of hours. The way it currently works is members get up to 10 tickets for the first 6 hours so the boyfriend of the fourth cousin might end up getting your seat!
Matt Wagga
Guest
Though the Wighton hit may be more violent, in my opinion the Ennis tackle is as bad for 2 reasons: 1. it was a late shot on an unsuspecting ballplayer. 2. not only was it late, the tackle was in the back These tackles litter the lower age-groups and are a blight on the game. Ex-players will justify with a "tackle on suspicion" cry - he may have dummied and gone himself. However the delay was too great and the pattern too common to be mistaken. If the NRL wanted to take a stand on shoulder charges they shouldn't have done so based on the effectiveness of the tackle (ie the 'violence' of it). Do it based on intent, of which Ennis showed more in my opinion.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lol wouldn't go that far.... Shark Park needs a significant upgrade.
Doc79
Roar Rookie
At least he had the ball!
Doc79
Roar Rookie
Ahh sanity and common sense, I remember those days. The smell of spring, the sun shining brightly and a spade was indeed, a spade. Seems like just yesterday.
Stu
Guest
Watch Gubbs which got him 7 weeks. Ennis should get 14 based on Gubbs
Cugel
Roar Rookie
The tiggy touchwood has steadily crept into the game, I can't see them reversing course any time soon. One day someone will get injured as a result of a fend, and that will outlawed as well, and probably some other scenarios I can't even conceive.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Instead of looking at baseless betting allegations, who players have dinner with and how much players drink, the NRL Integrity Unit should be looking within their own building for the biggest blights on the game (MRC, and refs/bunkers)
disgusted
Guest
all games should be played a shark park really..
Harry
Guest
To be fair, some of the blow-ins are people like me who were born and raised in Canberra, grew up watching the Raiders in the glory days of the 80s and 90s, and have been waiting and following them for 20 years for a moment like this - but who now live interstate and are flying back home for this one game. Though I shouldn't count my chickens before they hatch, I'll be trying for a general admission ticket tomorrow morning with my fingers crossed tight. Hoping to go with my dad and my brother who still live in Canberra :)
Cugel
Roar Rookie
I bought my ticket at Belconnen Mall, took about 5 minutes after an initial rush-induced glitch. There has to be a way where you can get your regular seat without having to run the gauntlet with all the blow-ins.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah it already started on Saturday night, specially for that storm side playing out of Sydney... ?
Renegade
Roar Guru
How bad was the ticketek issue?!? Should've had the game at Allianz... I reckon they could've went close to filling it ?
Craig
Guest
Disgraceful. I hope he gets off.
disgusted
Guest
/tinfoil/ Seems the administration can't cop only having 3 Sydney teams in the finals, and only one of them with a half chance at the premiership so they get a leg up!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Thanks Squidward - I could raise a laugh if I wasn't so flippin angry. Plus I caved my head in this morning spending an hour and a half trying to buy tickets to the Raiders vs Sharks match on that useless Ticketek site. Obviously the system couldn't cope. Just love the fact that some bandwagon jumper will be sitting in my members seats in Bay 55 while I'm lumbered with seats somewhere over the other side.