This article has nothing to do with the probability Billy Slater will miss next Sunday’s grand final if he’s found guilty of a shoulder charge from last night’s preliminary final against the Sharks.
It would be a tragedy if the 35-year-old fullback, arguably one of rugby league’s greatest footballers, ended his stellar career suspended, forced to watch his Storm teammates in the decider from the stand.
If he’s done the crime, he must do the time – there’s no argument.
But did Slater actually shoulder charge in the true meaning of the law?
Law-makers brought in the rule to stop defenders shoulder charging front-on and not using their arms.
That’s obviously a very dangerous ‘tackle’ of two players coming from opposite directions in a very physical collision.
That could create serious injuries like whip-lash where the spinal cord could be severed, and if the shoulder contact is lower causing busted ribs, and punctured lungs.
Not on – a very wise, and long overdue, law change.
But Slater wasn’t front-on, he was side-on to Sharks winger Sosaia Feki.
Was this a shoulder charge from Billy Slater?
He came from 90 degrees, where Slater’s left shoulder first came into contact with Feki’s right shoulder.
And Slater’s right arm was clearly visible across Feki’s chest, with Slater’s right arm across Feki’s left shoulder.
So it was never front-on, and Slater’s right arm was involved in the tackle.
Those are two damn good reasons why it didn’t qualify with the letter of the law of a front-on, no arms collision – a shoulder charge.
In fact, I very much doubt law-makers ever had a side-on shoulder charge in mind. They just wanted to rightfully stamp out the extremely dangerous front-on shoulder charge with no arms involved.
That hasn’t stopped the knockers going into meltdown on social media demanding Slater’s suspension, with many adding Feki should have been awarded a penalty try.
What a load of hysterical crap.
And only because it’s superstar Billy Slater for some tall-poppy chopping.
What makes it even more farcical is Slater is the smaller man by some distance.
He’s 178 cms tall, stopping scales at 89 kgs – Feki is 188 and 101 – no wonder Slater bounced off the Tongan.
So on the evidence of countless television replays, if Billy Slater is rubbed out of the big dance it will be a travesty of justice, and not what the law-makers had in mind when they brought the shoulder charge into play.
Matthew Carswell
Guest
Have any of the guys saying he should be charged ever played rugby league or are you just observers from the couch??? Billy was coming at speed and thought Feki was going to step inside, when he didn't he had a split second to brace which is what he did. It is a reflex action to brace yourself before you collide with someone, now your not going to lead with your head when you brace. This is where it is different to the front on shoulder charge you see the player coming at you and you make a decision to lead with the shoulder, that becomes a deliberate act and was the very reason the shoulder charge ruling was brought in. We cannot be suspending players for contact that is brought about by a reflex reaction because that would then mean you have to changes someone's natural instinct. If you are standing there and you sight someone running at you and they are only a few metres from you, you are not just going to stand there and wait to get hit you are going to automatically brace yourself.
Michael Minz
Roar Rookie
Latrell wasn't in because he committed a cannonball and than crusher tackle in consecutive weeks. He literally had to commit two dangerous tackles, one which could break a man's neck before he missed a single game. Yet slater gets 200 points for his. Jake friend gets off for a spear tackle with an early guilty plea. The grading system is flawed.
Lemuel
Guest
Feki not Kefi
Varg Vikernes
Guest
Good recall and good point. It will be interesting to see if any mainstream journos pick up on this season's precedent. If Slater doesn't miss next week's grand final then the NRL's judiciary will be seen as a travesty of justice.
M
Guest
I don't think people hate Billy, Rory. I do think they get disgusted with the favours he and the Storm in general receive from the NRL desperate to break into Victoria. If Melbourne win on a level playing field, most fans will love them, after all they are part of the game. Year in and year out they get favoured at the expense of other clubs. Not ideal.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Totally agree with your analysis David.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Slater made no attempt at conventional tackle, he was set on a shoulder ch sarge and that is why Kefi don't score, simple and he should be suspended! If Slater tackle was illegal and Kefi should have been awarded a penalty try, at least if not 10 in the bin
RoryStorm
Guest
Of course the NRL favours the Storm. They always have and they always will. Just the way we like it. Suck it up sunshine.
RoryStorm
Guest
Yeh/nah. Don't hate him because he's always been one step in front of the law. Too bad he didn't play for your team, you'd have come to love him.
RoryStorm
Guest
You got that completely right Hard. Too many jealous people who support other teams just can't get past it's Billy. They hate him because of his brilliance year in, year out.
MoreheadSt
Guest
Much obliged, learned counsel, Marty. Your Worship, the case for the prosecution now rests.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Best reply Scott, True, true ,true in every way. Slater's leading shoulder and arm was his right side yet contact was his left side Sepi started to step which denied Slater of any control of the contact NO CASE to answer . I am so confident he will play next week that I promise I will never follow RL again if he doesn't.
Adam
Roar Guru
The photo on the NRL's own website could be used to get Billy off the charge. It clearly shows the right arm out in front of his body. Or another angle of it is available here: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/incredible-image-could-save-billy-slater/news-story/a5e3d15d029cc11bcb51a8d667fe082d The definition only calls for an attempt to use the arms or hands in affecting the tackle. The Melbourne Storm legal team will argue this point. How successful they are is the ultimate question.
MoreheadSt
Guest
You are 100% correct. One unpunished shoulder charge broke the jaw of Campbell-Gillard. It was not even considered a head-high tackle.
Big Daddy
Guest
I am going for a downgrade,early plea no penalty.
MoreheadSt
Guest
I went back to all of the angles as soon as I read your interpretation. There is NO way that is NOT a shoulder charge. Not only does he NOT lead with his right arm, there is NO attempt at using the right arm to make a tackle. His right arm does NOT even contact the runner! (My apologies for using upper case - it's just that I have been told it represents shouting).
Marty
Guest
Read the NRLs statement on Shoulder Charges: As part of a change to the Judiciary and Match Review system, a player will be charged if: • The contact is forceful, and; • The player did not use, or attempt to use, his arms (including his hands) to tackle or otherwise take hold of the opposing player. He will be charged and he has no room to move with that definition. We start going into dangerous precedence if he is let off because it’s his last game and he’s a supposed ‘good bloke’ and ‘legend’. It’s also dangerous to suggest that he’s allowed to tackle that way because it’s try saving, as some have said in the media. If that’s the case, any foul play is allowed provided you are in the act of defending a try scoring opportunity. The NRL must suspend him.
Darren Nyberg
Guest
If Billy Slater does not receive a 1 week ban ... The NRL will loose all faith. Im sure that the Roosters would love Tyrell in there line up tonight but he was given 1 week. What’s good for the goose is good for the Ganda I say. If this does not happen I hope NRL suffers the outfall from the faithful fans that enjoy the game and the rules for all
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
If the Match Review Committee are looking for evidence why NOT to charge Billy they only need to look at the camera angle from the Northern (MCG) end. This angle clearly shows that Billy led with his right arm and then using right arm and left shoulder he pushes Feki. His shoulder was NOT the initial point of contact. I rest my case your honor!
Wayne Turner
Guest
Well said,and all spot on.