On 15 August 1948 Don Bradman strolled out to the crease in his final match, and two balls later he walking back to the pavilion. He didn’t know it at the time, but that was his final innings – Australia belted England by an innings inside four days.
What Bradman also didn’t know was that he needed a mere four more runs to secure a career average of over 100.
Ian Healy played over 100 Tests for Australia and was one of the best keepers of all time, but he was afforded no sympathy by the Australian Cricket Board and was dropped without the opportunity for a farewell Test at the Gabba – the very next Test. No, Adam Gilchrist was simply too good to keep on the bench. No fairytale ending for his career.
Chris Judd, one of the best AFL players of this generation, spent his last seconds on the football field being driven off on a medical cart – and without a fairytale homecoming premiership with Carlton. He had no opportunity to be hauled up onto the shoulders of teammates for a valedictorian lap of honour.
Andrew Johns’s career was ended by an innocuous tackle at a training session. There was no fairytale ending for him, no running out one last time with the boys.
What’s my point? You aren’t entitled to a fairytale ending just because you’re good. The fairytale ending is a bonus, not a birthright.
Billy Slater, like many other greats, deserves a fairytale ending, but he’s not entitled to one, and as sad as it is to write, he should not get one this Sunday.
Slater deserves to be suspended, plain and simple.
(Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
He used his shoulder in a sport that has outlawed it entirely. Yes, as shoulder charges go, it was low-grade and superbly executed example – he didn’t touch the head; it was pure torso. It also saved a try – but it was a shoulder charge, and it’s outlawed because of the damage it can do.
I commented on Tim Gore’s article that the NRL views shoulder charges with the same zero-tolerance attitude as the police do with speeding. I’ve been caught doing 120 kilometre sper hour in 100 zones on quiet country roads. At that point in time I’m not a danger to anyone but myself, but I could be another time, and if the cops don’t ping me for it, I’m more likely to be that danger. Others could be elsewhere.
A society that respects the rule of law doesn’t and shouldn’t reward someone for ‘getting away with it’. We always have to be mindful of the next time.
There has never been a suspension that will be so costly on a player like the one that should be doled out to Billy Slater. I’m not one for hyperbole, but it’s not unreasonable to speculate we may never see another suspension like it again. Ever. Times infinity plus one. It really is that significant.
Comparisons to other suspensions are meaningless and pointless. It cannot be done. The Cameron Smith 2008 suspension, despite people automatically reaching for it, is not in the same time zone. Smith was not at the absolute peak of his considerable powers in 2008. Smith was not an immortal-in-waiting at the time like Billy Slater is now. Smith was only a few years into building that ridiculously fantastic CV.
Smith got to lace up the boots in 2009. Billy Slater won’t in 2019. If the law were driven by desire, then it would be case closed as to why the NRL shouldn’t suspend Billy Slater – but we don’t live in a world governed by desire.
(Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
It would be cruel to see his career ended like this, but I suspect that in a year or two, though almost certainly sooner, people will remember the premierships, countless State of Origin victories, the golden boots, the winner of a world cup and best player in the tournament, the Dally M medal, the Clive Churchill medal and much, much more.
He is an immortal in waiting, and certainly 99.9 per cent of past, present and future players will not possess a career summary like his. With a record like that, will it really be the end of the world if he didn’t get the fairytale ending he and we crave? It’s not like he is a Gary Ablett figure and a genius tortured by an inability to win a premiership. When the footy gods handed out the good stuff Slater was front and centre with a massive bowl to be filled.
This is not to be interpreted as Slater deserving to be suspended because he won more than others. This isn’t karmic retribution. Not at all. This suspension would not define him, nor would I suspect would it would rate much of a mention in the future save for the odd ‘top five harsh calls’ list.
The law is reason unaffected by desire. I hope the NRL judiciary, former players all, remember that.
Future incidents depend on the correct ruling on Tuesday evening, and that’s a Billy Slater suspension.
McTavish
Roar Rookie
Told ya????
Lionking64
Roar Rookie
100% correct. The irrational hatred of the Storm by so many commentators is breathtaking.
The Barry
Roar Guru
With all due respect Paul, that’s massively incorrect and if that’s what you’re taking from the let Billy play camp, then you’re simply not listening. There are very few are saying anything like that. It’s got little to do with the fact it’s Slater or any of the reasons you’ve highlighted...although his career and this being a GF does add to the narrative. The main reasons are: a) this is an unintended consequence of the shoulder charge ban...these aren’t the style of tackles that are trying to be eradicated b) it’s a ridiculous oversight that the minimum penalty for a shoulder charge is 200 points c) similar tackles have no copped suspensions in the past d) most importantly - this tackle simply doesn’t meet the the definition of a shoulder charge as per the NRL’s own interpretation Slater will get off and it will have nothing to do with anything you’ve written here
The Barry
Roar Guru
Except the law doesn’t say anything about a player having to involve the hand or arm of the shoulder they are tackling with it just says: • 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.
The Barry
Roar Guru
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/billy-slater-shoulder-charge-nrl-finals-melbourne-storm-cronulla-/xkhkv4qimv3u1dpbwvn1c6om9 Slaters right arm is up and involved in the tackle...that’s all he needs to do for it not to be shoulder charge
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Interesting points from the hearing. 7:40pm - Panel members were asked to determine whether Slater made forceful contact with his shoulder or upper arm, and if so, did he attempt to use his arms or hands to tackle Feki and were his actions careless. 7:20pm - Slater's representative reminds the panel that initial contact was made with his pec and that Feki's change of direction meant the fullback had no alternative. "What else could he have done? Is he seriously suggesting player Slater let him run over him? Or let him score?" 7:10pm - Ghabar points out that Slater only needed to attempt a tackle: "The rule only requires an attempt, the rule does not require a successful attempt"
MarkD
Guest
Gday Spruce , I wish I could be as confident as you that this meets to the letter of the law , a shoulder charge . The rulings are all over the place , Burgess on Finnucane ,not a shoulder charge ; Matt Scott on Tomuleapea, a shoulder charge ; Waqa Blake's shoulder on the warriors , not a shoulder charge . That's just a couple , and only shoulder charges . Having checked out the Waqa Blake video gotta say that it's pretty much the same as Slater's . What ever the decision , it will undoubtedly lead to a few more articles and alot more opinions and maybe even a tweek of the rule .
Nat
Roar Guru
This Grade 1 offence is an auto 200pts which is a game out, irrespective of any carryovers. The point I'm arguing has nothing to do with the player and yes I'm concerned it will affect the GF but I don't believe this type of tackle should have any player miss any game. For mine, justice would prevail if they used this incident to set a precedent, introduce a lesser amount of points as a deterrent, but not miss a Rd 2 or finals game. This example is not what the harsh penalty was introduced for.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Moose, one last question. Would you make the same argument if it was Graeme Langlands playing his last game in a grand final?
Chris
Roar Pro
As a Storm fan I want him to get off even though the decision wouldn't be 100 per cent outrageous. But here's the absolute fail-safe fact that will save Bill. Phil Gould says that a Queenslander should be let off a suspension. A higher power than any rulebook, courtroom or national judge.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Slater will get off. The first part of his body to make contact with Feki was his right arm. There’s still shots that show this. Then he hit him with his left shoulder. An NRL statement in 2017 said a player will be found guilty of a shoulder charge 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. By the letter of the law it’s just not a shoulder charge...
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Tingo, does the law in question state that the arm must or hands must impact the player being tackled before the shoulder. The only law I can find (and I could well be wrong here), only discusses the attempt with arms and hands. It says nothing about which is the first limb or body part makes impact. In any point, I feel the arm was up and beginning to wrap before the shoulder made impact.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
I think you are correct in regard to not being able to use tackles or other play that wasn't brought to the judiciary as evidence, Keith. I think when the panel look at the front on view and see the right hand moving in front of the ball, it will be a 15 minute chat to confirm and then back to the lunch room for tea and Iced Vovos.
Wayne Turner
Guest
"but this was/is a nothing incident" - It was a something,a shoulder charge,which is against the rules.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Don't re-evaluate your whole life because of Bill Harrigan, just your understanding of football rules. You're right. It is a bit sad the Storm lost their 07 and 09 titles. Still, those grand finals were fun at the time - and we'll always have 2012 and 2017 as a consolation.
Wayne Turner
Guest
1. and 2. Blame the NRL. It's under the current rules.IE: All shoulder charges are treated the same. I agree it's wrong.But you can't just change it now for Billy,too late for him now,he did this under the current rules. Change it in the up coming off season. Same goes for Friend's tackle being worse. 3.Sadly bad luck.He broke the current rules as they stand. 4.Nothing to do with this. All that matters is he broke the rules. 5.It does set a dodgy example if he gets off.
Nick
Roar Guru
Easier to cheer no one at all tbh. Well, I'll need to reevaluate my whole life if Bill Harrigan doesn't agree with me. And, I couldn't give a toss about the 99 GF. At least my team got to keep ALL its premierships.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Spot on. All that matters in this case is whether Slater committed a shoulder charge or NOT. According to the rules he did,and must be suspended. This terrible way to end his career,will sting for a while. But,the memory of this ending will fade,and after time it won't even be remembered that's how his career ended.
phillip
Guest
Good point Michael (shoulder to shoulder bump) and it causes the thought that perhaps any form of side on bump that doesn't involve arms might be considered a shoulder charge should Slater be suspended.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
St George - what a surprise. Mate, my brother is a St George fan and he was filthy over the 99 grand final, but it's been nearly 20 years and he's moved on. Maybe you should too! "A shoulder charge is a shoulder charge"? Well a rottweiler and a chihuahua are both dogs, so I guess the next chihuahua I see I'll run for my life. By the way, Bill Harrigan was just on Fox and he doesn't agree with you, so take it up with him. Looks like you have also ignored arguments from last post that you could not refute. Anyhow, you're entitled to your opinions so good luck to you. And also commiserations over to having to cheer the Roosters on Sunday night. That's gotta hurt. I had the same problem in the 2000 grand final.