NRL Judiciary hand down shock Billy Slater finding

Judiciary must have agreed with our take. Slater is free to play in the GF.

Technically, looking at the footage from behind the dead ball line, Slater's chest is square on until immediately before contact, when he turns slightly to a more side on position. I expect this is purely a self-defense reaction in bracing for impact to avoid a head clash. It looked far worse at full speed than frame by frame.

No 1, is above the LAW

I was thinking about this today, and I’m pretty sure that Slater was involved in a remarkably similar incident when the shoulder charge was first outlawed, and iirc he beat the charge.

Man oh man, technically yes, it is a shoulder charge but....... Its not a real "SBW" shoulder charge that both Rugby League wanted removed from the game. This tackle was not dangerous at all. Go Easts

That he has a case to answer if now fact. Prior to the judiciary awarding a grade it could be argued whether there is a charge or not. I think he is not guilty of a shoulder charge as I think he was not square on to charge and was bustling a player out of bounds. we see this in Origin and it is cheered with gusto. As for it being from spite that those who would applaud Latrell Mitchell doing the same next week are calling for Slater's ban - you know he's probably right. Passion will over-rule for many. That Slater used to have a habit of sliding legs out at people still rankles many. But if I were a Storm supporter (Raiders are my team), I'd be more owrried about Billy getting the yips under a high ball - he drops a lot of them - with Tupou, Ferguson, Mitchell and Manu all tall Billy if he plays will be like a bunny on the highway on more than one occasion. Chambers may get carded for blocking - there's the tip.

Clearly showing the right arm across the body and not braced for a charge

Good analysis. Slater had his right arm out and the contact was more of bustling a player into touch than a shoulder charge as most fair-minded people would call one. Any crowing about favouritism - I would simply point to Boyd Cordner's spear tackle on Luke Bateman where I don't think he was given any time out. Billy Slater bustled a player out of the field of play with no injury to anyone. The othe could have broken someone's neck with no care taken. Rise for Alex forgotten? https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2018-boyd-cordner-in-hot-water-over-luke-bateman-spear-tackle/news-story/9fac4770f6c205525dd4738be800e4d3

I don't like the guy or the Storm but he is brilliant and there has never been a Fullback like him and to just watch him one last time would be special, I think the "PEOPLE IN POWER" should let this one slide, let him play, Go the chooks.

Rules for some guidelines for others?

https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/1537619504268C3YASgx You need to look again. See image above. Totally innocent.

He didn't break the law, he never used his shoulder at any stage. Only after contact is his body spun around to make it look like he was side on. Ball carriers shoulder is in Billy's face at point of contact. Billy's chest is square on.

Pretty open and shut case for dismissal based on this photo. A file has been shared using Link Sharing. https://s.amsu.ng/mPIeSbLGXgLN (Expires: 23 Sep. 2018)

Great analysis. Tgis was not a shoulder charge. As you say, his body was square to his opponent and his right arm was around the other player at the point of impact. He should not have been charged.

A file has been shared using Link Sharing. https://s.amsu.ng/mPIeSbLGXgLN (Expires: 23 Sep. 2018) I think people are mistaking Billy's nose with his shoulder!

Haha TB I genuinely think he will play. TBSE is alive and well! But, seriously, this looked more like an unavoidable collision in a try -scoring situation. By the letter of the law it was definitely a shoulder charge. But the on field penalty was sufficient. Good article today TB by the way.

I’ve thought the same thing if he gets off.

It should have been a penalty try - he could have tackled him over the line just as he could shoulder charge - absolute rubbish by Fox 1/2 time callers that he had to shoulder charge (But the NRL need a Sydney v Melbourne Grand Final) and 10 minutes in the bin for preventing a try - it was illegal and put on report. There is nothing in the law book about a shoulder charge being OK for a try saving situation or in fact boots first (another Billy special) What did the Nine commentators say - Billy is under contract to Nine. So Cummins and Sutton have made 2 giant blunders but will they get the GF? Ashely Klein has it all in front of him tonight. After 3 blowouts in the finals (and Roosters women over Saints) the RL could do with a close one and Klein could grab the GF. Interesting the Sutton/Cummins pairing came up with cheap offside penalties to asist the Storm get on top then reversed the penalty flow when the Sharks were welll behind.

If the referee thought that it would have been a try, in his opinion, except for an illegal action then he should award a penalty try. It's a myth that he has to be 100% certain. I thought Slater could have stopped the try with a legal tackle around the chest myself.

Sosai Feki’s got something to tell his grandkids ..in consecutive games against the Storm hes got the double up,chicken winged by Cameron Smith and now shoulder charged by Billy Slater..same shoulder..look for a crusher from Will Chambers next year to get him the trifecta..