Melbourne have fallen to a losing record for just the second time since 2008, but may have a bigger concern if Cameron Munster is charged for a hip-drop tackle.
Munster could feel the wrath of the NRL’s match review committee for an apparent hip-drop tackle that Craig Bellamy admitted didn’t look good.
Munster fell onto the lower leg of Spencer Leniu in a three-man tackle late in the first half of Penrith’s 12-10 win, infuriating the Panthers’ prop.
He stayed for around a minute and needed treatment on his knee, before getting up and later becoming involved in a heated argument on halftime.
Munster was not penalised for the tackle nor placed on report but he could still be charged over the incident.
“It didn’t probably look good,” Bellamy admitted.
“But they didn’t see too much wrong with it.”
The NRL announced a crackdown on the tackle style last year, resulting in several players challenging bans at the NRL judiciary.
If cited, Munster would only miss a match if a grade-two charge was levelled against him, given that a grade one is only punishable by a fine.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary admitted he was unhappy with the incident.
“I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it at all,” Cleary said.
“But I’m his coach, so there are smarter people than me to work it out.
“And it hurt him.”
In their first season without any of the big three, Melbourne have now slipped to a negative record at any point of the year for only the second time since 2008.
Thursday night’s loss also marked the first time they have suffered back-to-back defeats since August 2018, having played in two grand finals since then.
The defeats have however come against Penrith and Parramatta, two teams who made last year’s top four and who are again expected to be among the contenders.
“It’s been a tough opening without a doubt, but we knew that would be the case with the games we had,” Bellamy said.
“If I am rating just on effort, they are eight or nine out of ten.
“But on just playing a little smarter and being hungrier at those (big) moments, we are probably a six.”
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Inconsistency is problematic.
Greg
Roar Pro
Leniu's hit on Eisenhuth was certainly a cheap shot that i believe should be outlawed from the game. However, it has not yet been outlawed. Munster's hip drop, which i believe was done as a square up is an outlawed tackle. That is the difference. Given the actual outcomes yes Leniu's was probably worse than Munster's however as far as potential outcomes go Munster's is infinitely worse.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yep, that was a real dog act, there was no need for coming in so late and so hard, as Eisenhuth was tackled, its the refs fault.
Tony
Roar Guru
Correct. He was still moving and fighting the defenders. Like most good tackles, the first point of impact was his shoulder.
LMM
Guest
If anything Munster just proved what Kent etc are saying.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Surely you recall team mate Max King copping 3 weeks for coincidentally the same tackle late last season ? Proving its intentional is the sticking point. As to extent of damage determining seriousness, it's like Feldt putting Bird on his head last week and saying it's ok cause he wasn't injured.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Except he wasn't moving forward, he was held upright by the other panthers players? If he was struggling it's fair game but fairly sure that wasn't the case. And what caused more injury? The 'hip drops' where the panthers player miraculously gets up after a bit of acting, of the shoulder to the ribs of a contained player?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
You're joking. When is a tackle on the mid riff on a player, you're not contained if you're moving forward , illegal. Munster, this is the same bloke who was sent off for kicking a player on the ground, drops his body on an ankle so it finishes at right angles to his body.. and you're ok with that..
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Fair retort, tackle was still ongoing. For mine, rather than late, I should have said Tom was contained, turned, and then hit, Roosters on Craig wing style. I am also curious on the shoulder charge rule. If you hit with the left shoulder, arm down, and raise the right arm, how is it different from hitting with the left shoulder and not raising the right arm? Overall it certainly was worse than Munsters 'hip drop' tackle.
Dutski
Roar Guru
While I didn’t like the hit on Eisenhuth, I don’t think it was late. Tackle was still ongoing. Cheap shot? For sure but not late.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
So Munster gets charged for that, yet we have Eisenhuth with broken ribs for a late malicious should and nothing is done? Where is the logic there.