Melbourne captain Cameron Smith avoided the possibility of missing his own historic testimonial match after dodging a charge for his elbow in Friday’s World Club Challenge.
Smith appeared to be on shaky ground after footage emerged of him striking Leeds hooker Matt Parcell after a strong tackle at AAMI Stadium.
Parcell was penalised by the referee for a lifting tackle.
However, the NRL match review committee deemed the contact insufficient to draw a charge and instead issued the Kangaroos and Queensland State of Origin star with a concerning act.
It is understood only a grade three charge attracted during a trial would be enough to attract enough points for an NRL player to be suspended from another trial match.
The result means Smith is free to play in Friday’s match in conjunction with Johnathan Thurston and the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
It is believed the match could draw a crowd of about 30,000, and the expected $1.5 million in profit to be shared between the representative stars.
The NRL came under fire last year for ticking off on the fixture after revelations the extra money will be exempt from the salary cap of the respective clubs.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
18 grand finals??? How much longer does he intend on playing for?
Duncan Smith
Guest
His legacy will be approx 18 grand finals, 21 origin series wins, and most capped for Aust, most NRL games, most points etc, but anyhow...
mushi
Guest
Really? 4 weeks. Is that a grade 3 strike right there? I could see you calling it a grade 1 but with no leverage, in the midst of contact and reactionary getting grade 3 would mean a grade one needs to be given out for an early tackle! It was unnecessary but gee "gutless" should be a strike off the ball, using your weight, with the person not expecting nay contact with another human being.
Taree Raider
Guest
Cameron Smith, one of the greatest GRUBS of all time. That will be his eventual legacy. Its a shame that for someone with such talent, charisma and seems to be a good bloke. He often lowers himself to this. Maybe its been Belamy's influence.
Duncan Smith
Guest
Translation of messages read on social media sites and here of those calling Smith a grub: "why doesn't this immortal play for my club and state? It's not fair." By the way, read a couple of books about footy in the 50s-60s-70s and you'll realise how violent the game was then, including from immortals like Raper, Churchill etc. Smith is a choir boy by comparison.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Matt Parcell’s tackle was a good hit that just barely tipped a little too much. There was nothing in it with a penalty being the right decision. Smiths elbow on the other hand could be thought of as nothing other than dirty. It had about as much force as a new born baby but it was a bad look which is why he got the letter. (Although one would have to think the NRLs no punching rule should extend to throwing elbows as well.) Imo the right decisions have been made. Neither player deserves to miss any action for that.
Andrew
Guest
Imagine if every player / team reacted like that when the melbourne storm had a misdemeanor in tbbe past. Not dismissing the Leeds player but Smith cant strike out like that. Its embarrassing for NRL to show their money hungry hands and only emphasizes why people dislike Cameron Smith as a protected species.
Nat
Roar Guru
Nothing more than a reaction to a dangerous situation. A warning, possibly points accrued, is sufficient for both.
Duncan Smith
Guest
Smith shouldn't have done that but you can understand where it came from - the tackle wasn't far off being dangerous, Smith almost driven into the ground head first.
MAX
Guest
magickiwi!
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
just saw it; how is that not worth 4 weeks; gutless strike to the head??? Anyone else in the game = 4 weeks. But I think Greenberg rang Smith up and asked him what he should do; Smith replied accordingly.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s interesting...do you have a link to the story where Smith calls for Parcell to get a month suspension? Most of the stories I’ve seen have been along these lines: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/melbourne-captain-cameron-smith-dirty-on-myself-after-world-club-challenge-elbow-brain-snap/news-story/c4babfe739c2a61c6f91b47385ab73e0 Cheers
Michael Clare
Guest
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." Quote from George Orwell's novel, Animal Farm The NRL hierarchy might not have read the book, but they have followed this precept way too often for my liking in recent years. This is just another sorry example.
Dean
Guest
No charges to answer as I predicted on Saturday. The English player was let off with a caution which surprised many people. Smith expressed surprise, saying he felt his opponent deserved a minimum of a month on the sidelines.
Pilferer
Guest
This will set a precedent for all striking charges this year. Gutless by the nrl, should have been charged but clearly let off because of this testimonial game.