Kevin Proctor could cop a further sanction to go with his four-week ban from the NRL for biting with he and Shaun Johnson also in possible trouble for breaking judiciary protocols.
Both Proctor and Johnson could land in hot water for making public comment before Tuesday night’s hearing for Proctor’s bite on the Cronulla halfback.
The comments are believed to have caused some angst at NRL HQ, with players barred from speaking publicly before a judiciary hearing.
In an interview on Sunday, Proctor maintained he did not bite Johnson and that he was “so pissed off about” being sent off for the incident in Gold Coast’s loss to the Sharks.
Johnson then took to Instagram on Tuesday before the hearing to stress while he first felt a nibble on his arm, he believed Proctor’s claims he hadn’t bitten him.
NRL judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew made no secret of his frustrations over the public comments when he directed his panel on Tuesday night.
“It is not for players to conduct their defence in the media,” Bellew said.
“The players are provided with this forum that we are in at the moment for that purpose.”
“This case has attracted a considerable deal of publicity.
“In the cause of this publicity various opinions have been expressed by a great number of people.
“These opinions cannot have any bearing on your decision.”
Johnson appeared in the 138-minute hearing on Proctor’s behalf, and was pressed on how he went from thinking he’d been bitten to changing his stance.
“The fact it was Kevvie,” Johnson said.
“I was in the heat of the moment and it wasn’t until I took a step back and thought about it. I thought I got bit, but it’s Kevin.”
The Sharks halfback then claimed he realised he’d pressed his arm on Proctor’s mouth and initiated the situation.
“As the match went on it didn’t make sense,” he said.
“At the time I felt like I had got bit. But when someone gets sent off it makes you think about things.
“It was on my mind and it wasn’t until I was in the sheds (while injured) I was thinking about it all and it didn’t add up to me.
“When I saw the replays it became clear to me what I was thinking. I knew I had a tight grip on him and I had my arm against his mouth.”
NRL counsel Peter McGrath then accused Johnson of changing his stance to support his Kiwis teammate, before the panel eventually found Proctor guilty.
“He may wish what happened on the field stayed on the field,” McGrath said.
“He opened this box and couldn’t put it back in.
“It started snowballing. He realised what effect this might have on his friend.
“Whatever he now tells you he thinks and whatever he wishes to say now, at the time we saw that honest reaction (to a bite).”
Nick
Roar Guru
You've listed a raft of dirty incidents. It would be a long and false bow to suggest Johnson was being dirty
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Having suffered head injuries myself I agree it wasn't dangerous but any contact should be a penalty. In my six years playing in the St.George juniors there was one dirty player who hit me with a coat hanger in the first game and was not penalised even though I was dizzy and couldn't stand up without falling. In my last game, a semi final at Earl Park, I was knocked out from a punch in the head and woke up in extra time to see my attacker still on the field. There are many examples of referees ignoring dirty play like Peter Kelly hitting Graeme Wynn with a coward punch from behind in the 1985 grand final.
Eagle
Roar Rookie
I have to agree with something Gus said, if someone is biting you, your first reaction in this case would be to try to pull your arm away ASAP, i didn't see that happening !
Nick
Roar Guru
But that's your opinion and no one supports it either. Neither the ref, the video ref, the touchies, the match review committee or the tribunal (including the lawyers of Proctor) had any material issue with the tackle. Contact started below the head and moved up. It wasn't dangerous. If Johnson was actively trying to choke Proctor, then not only it is dangerous, it's criminal. Just accept it pal - Proctor bit Johnson.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The ref should've penalised Johnson for the high shot. If the arm applying force to the head was penalised immediately there would be no bite. Why did the ref not penalise SJ? Maybe he was trying to minimise the penalties. Head injuries are a far greater problem than bite injuries for old players.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Womblat, Trump has > 150,000 dead from Covid-19 in the US under his watch. That is really bad and real unlike your imagined Democrat overlords.
Nick
Roar Guru
I literally have no idea what your connection between riots and Shaun Johnson chucking some porkies are, and I'd wager you don't either. And considering you've swooped in and then childishly said "no point engaging with you further" i guess we'll never know! Ah well. What's life without a bit of mystery, eh?
Womblat
Guest
Poor and utterly biased understanding of history, law and American politics. 30 smouldering Democrat cities in the US stand victims of what you accuse Trump of doing but was done by their Democrat overlords... dumping the rules, abandoning Police and refusing help they must ask for. But you've convinced yourself fully and are irredeemable. No point engaging you further on this. Re Johnson: I think they got it right too. Whatever they did was going to be criticised by boosters from the stands. Just like Trump really.
Tony
Roar Guru
Ridiculous outcome when compared to some recent indiscretions. One that comes to mind is Josh McGuires back to back eye gouging efforts. Was he even suspended for that?
Nick
Roar Guru
The replay has been viewed by at least 16 people in a position to lay a charge on Johnson and exonerate Proctor. None have done so. You need to move on
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Proctor had the ball and was being tackled by Johnson whose arm made contact with Proctor's head so SJ should've been penalised. If the ref had blown the whistle there would be no arm applying a force to Proctor's head. The illegal contact was ignored and was responsible for Proctor being choked. The referee let it happen which I think is strange but then I remember my playing days where the player that always knocked me out got to stay on the field. It still annoys me after 48 years but I'm just a bitter twisted malcontent with delusions of grandeur.
Nat
Roar Guru
Was that the 90min delay in getting started, debating who they can & can't give evidence? Does seem odd.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Yeah Daddy I think you coped a bit more than Biting in those olden times
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
thanks for the history lesson Dwayne - I take it the Treadmill wasn't at the local Gym.
MarkD
Guest
Now it makes sense that Perenara can't see a players arm across a blokes face directly in front of him, if he sees 'a red mark in a circular motion '. So hard to see teeth marks if they won't stop moving round.
MarkD
Guest
'Hehehehe A panel of experts ' arghahahaha ,no stop it . Pure comedy gold Spruce!
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It is a rugby league discussion group and I don't see it as a waste of time. I got into the history of the game reading the Rugby League News while waiting for the 3rd grade game to start. The "25 years ago" articles were always fascinating and took me back to the world war 2. Newtown were robbed in 1955 and Wests were robbed in 1963. I got smashed when I was 16 and got knocked out every week that year. I got knocked out by the only dirty player in the competition and I'd wake up and find he was always still on the field. Refs don't always get it right.
Big Daddy
Guest
Just been reading the transcript of the judicial hearing and I don't know why Proctor was even asked an opinion, it looks as though the verdict was predetermined. Not that he was guilty or innocent, no witnesses from prosecution or defence asked to give evidence. Beats me.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
What could have happened (and did in the old days) was that judiciary's decision is that the send off was penalty enough. The other case is this both parties involved in the allegation was going to the media prior to the case being heard. No suspensions but I would expect fines. Same for the Titans coach.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Kevin Proctor had an arm in his mouth causing some marks which is completely different to biting someone’s ears or fingers causing bruising or bleeding. Rugby League has a history of ignoring brain damage and not penalising the perpetrators for a variety reasons. 1. Clive Churchill knocking out Balmain’s Brian Staunton in the 1956 prelim final. 2. Ron Coote knocking out Bill Bradstreet in the 1968 gf. Ref Pearce was a Souths fan. 3. Peter Kelly knocking out Graeme Wynn with a punch from behind in the 1985 grand final and Kelly wasn’t even penalised.