Over the past two or three weeks, the NRL have really started to crack down on accidental or intentional high tackles and I totally agree with it.
But I need to express my opinion after watching the Roosters and Eels game.
I understand that this was not a high tackle but Roosters five-eighth Drew Hutchison was in the action of scoring a try against the Eels and during his dive to the line, Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown came in with the knees and made heavy contact with Hutchison.
No on-field action was taken, which meant that the Roosters couldn’t swap Hutchison off with a free interchange. The Bunker – with all of its camera angles – couldn’t find anything wrong with Brown’s contact but we later found out that Hutchison suffered a broken rib and punctured lung.
During halftime, Hutchison was escorted to hospital. I hope he is okay but the alarming part of all this was that Brown was not sent off or sin binned. Rather he was put on report when both teams were running out for the second half.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
So it took the Bunker and the officials 20-30 minutes to figure out that it was illegal contact and very dangerous contact yet it was only a reportable offence, which is very unprofessional.
Now I’m going to explain why I mentioned the NRL cracking down on the high tackles.
Two weeks ago Josh Curran was sin binned for very minimal contact to the head of Melbourne Storm winger George Jennings, which was put on report and Curran had a ten-minute rest. Now if that gets sin binned, then how is Brown’s illegal contact on Hutchison not a sin bin?
The NRL needs to hand Brown a lengthy suspension but unfortunately the NRL won’t give him a long suspension at all. That’s because the NRL judiciary in its current state cannot come to an agreement on suspensions and fines, so who knows what will happen.
Too many players are being put on report. For example, Roosters forward Siosiua Taukeiaho was put on report against the Eels for once again very minimal contact.
I understand the NRL is intent on cracking down on contact with the head and it may never be perfect, but during the off-season they need to sit down with all officials and the judges in the judiciary and sort out what is a reportable offence and what should be a sin bin or send off and what shouldn’t.
Hopefully we get to see Drew Hutchison back playing in the NRL as soon as possible. The Roosters’ injury list continues to grow.
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
The NRL need to work out a way to reintroduce the send off rule to the game . It was put there for a reason .... to protect the players !!!! I would even be open to the sent off player being replaced from the bench . At least the offending team would be down an interchange player for the rest of the game . This might encourage match officials to start using it . At least the rule could be utilised for all the reasons it was originally intended ... to protect the players !!! Action against foul play needs to be taken on the field . Until players and teams are seriously penalised for foul play on the field I can't see things changing anytime soon . The NRL overtly spouts it concerns regarding how player protection is paramount and then ignores the very rule designed to deal with it . A rule that has been part of the game for 100 years and could have a significant and immediate impact .
GregM
Roar Rookie
footie players mate - ahead of their time
GregM
Roar Rookie
I’m sure the Chooks & JWH have circled July 29 in crayon on their calendar for the return match. See it’s at the SCG so there’ll be no fans there to see it so well have to rely on Ch9 & the video replay for any horsing around by the players
GregM
Roar Rookie
"Coaches are masters of loophole exploitation" Bellyache'd love that))
GregM
Roar Rookie
remember if u were winded or hit in the nuts they'd try to bring your knees to your chest, may relax he diaphragm, don't now about how it helps the family jewels tho
GregM
Roar Rookie
shouldn't have been laying on the wrong side of the ruck eh Shadow
GregM
Roar Rookie
wouldn't have dared dun that back in the days when Spud & the Chief were playing. If he did - his snoz'd be looking like Fergo's with a fat lip & a coupla black eyes to match
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I'm with you Jim. Brown should have been put on report, probably sin binned as well. But it wasn't deliberate, he didn't slide in "knees first" etc. The issue has been magnified because the bunker failed to address it at the time. Fact is, Brown is sprinting across in cover - he always does. The ball is deflected multiple times, possibly causing Brown to mis judge where he had to get to. He made contact with his knees, absolutely a punishment. But the carry on is so far over the top it is isn't funny. Totally a response to the outcome of the event and the non action of the bunker, not Brown's actions.
Jim
Guest
I do see the issue and I agree 100% that it was a shocking injury but I disagree that it was deliberate. I think Brown should of been sent off as well as getting suspended. I also though that when kafusi deliberately knocked out Matto he should of been sent off and got a lot more than 2 weeks when Matto was out for 5 weeks. I don't defend Browns actions at all and I hope he learns a big lesson out of this but some of the carry on is way over the top. Anyway I'm sure all the experts will have something else to carry on about next week.
Tony
Roar Guru
Have another read of my comment before you put both feet in your mouth Jim. The word I used was "fancy".
Jim
Guest
They are the stats, It's not a fantasy. You can see them in the post game stats. Fantasy is when it's made up like you did.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Equal would time would make it very interesting. There would be whinges. Surely dirty stuff would stop
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Double what latrell got would be six
Smoked
Roar Rookie
If the NRL are going to be consistent Brown should get 2 weeks and Marata 1 week. Kafusi’s head slam on Matterson was on par with Brown’s crime, and way worse then Marata’s. Matterson was out for over a month and will most likely mean the next concussion he gets ends his career. It’s hilarious how much bias this site has against the Eels. Must be a sign the Eels are approaching tall poppy status.
Evan Dempsey
Guest
If Latrell gets 4 weeks for an unintentional high shot, Browne has to get at least double
Muzz
Guest
Cecchins performance was below average. He consistently gets stage fright on big occasions.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Totally agree. They want to get high tackles out because of the number of HIAs (also they are illegal) penalise them out of the game.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Ha, dude sometimes sh.t work is just sh.t, ya know. :silly:
steveng
Roar Rookie
I feel exactly the same as you steve! The NRL geniuses at the judiciary treat this like a discount retail store and they don’t go by the severity of what they have done, but give them nonsensical discounts on all sorts. Its about time that nothing overturns a serious offence for any player(s) and these sorts of serious offences that cause serious injuries are punished with either a “fixed suspension and a hefty fine” or better still the guilty pay a hefty fine plus are suspended from the NRL for the same time as it takes the injured player to comeback! There are no excuses for injuring an opponent illigally maliciously that could either end their careers and/or he ends up in hospital with a serious injury.
Watda
Guest
If my knees puncture someone’s lung and break ribs...even accidentally, I would be booking my next holiday.