The majority of concussions suffered in the NRL are to the players making tackles as opposed to a high tackle on the ball runner.
Everyone can agree that referees absolutely should implement the sin-bin and send players off for careless and reckless high shots, which should then result in a charge from the match review committee and be prosecuted at the judiciary if required.
But officiating high tackles as a black-and-white rule means basic common sense does not come into the on-field decision-making process. Accidental and incidental contact to the head from a defender has and will continue copping the same on-field punishment as careless or reckless contact to the head.
The Josh Papalii, Tyrell Fuimaono and Herman Ese’Ese high contact incidents from Magic Round were all careless and/or reckless and very much deserved to be sent off. But there were other examples of contact to the head which were unavoidable and complete accidents yet ended with sin-bins.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Cowboys forward Lachlan Burr was sent to the sin-bin for making contact with the head of Roosters fullback James Tedesco. But Tedesco fell into the tackle and his head made contact with Burr’s right pectoral muscle – there was nothing Burr could have done to avoid head contact.
Another example was Dragons forward Josh McGuire, sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle on the Storm centre Justin Olam. He was wrong-footed and stuck his arm out. The first point of contact was at chest height, but unfortunately his arm bounced up off the ball and made contact with the head – an unfortunate accident.
Common sense needs to be used in these incidents, and the mitigating circumstances as to how a defender makes contact with the head of the ball runner does matter – award a penalty, warn the player and move on. These sorts of accidents will always happen in the game. If common sense is not used, the spectacle of NRL games could be ruined by teams being put needlessly at a disadvantage because of players sent to the sin-bin.
The problem ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has and may not realise is that the rules introduced to speed up the game in order to bring in fatigue – which apparently makes the product more entertaining – has already resulted in countless defenders unable to properly execute their tackling technique due to fatigue, resulting in an increase in head injury assessments.
You could argue the manufactured speed of the current game has cost Roosters captain Jake Friend his career, as fatigue may have played a big part in him getting his head in the wrong position while trying to make tackles.
Now V’landys is encouraging defenders to tackle lower, which is completely understandable, as we need to do the best we can to get contact with the head out of the game.
However, the faster speed of the game resulting in fatigued defenders now having to be more conscious of lowering their contact in defence could mean more defenders suffering a concussion from getting their heads in the wrong position while making a tackle because the game is currently too fast.
So it is a catch 22 for the NRL.
They will need to find some sort of balance to ensure that protected from concussion are not only the ball runners but also the defenders.
To protect the defenders the game may need to walk back some of the rule changes made so players are not as fatigued when trying to make a tackle and are therefore a better chance of getting their tackling technique right, which will protect the ball runner and themselves.
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
Perhaps it is the comments coming from ex players in the media which has given the NRL pause to understand the serious effects of head collisions. That's enough empirical evidence right there!
Cugel
Roar Rookie
"57% players making a tackle" Looks like the solution with the best outcome is to outlaw tackling. What sayest thou, handwringers?
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
2021 Failed HIA's - Brian Seeny (NRL Physio) - 57% players making a tackle, 10% Accidental eg head clashes, 33% players running the ball. So if the percentage of the ball carriers comes down due to the high contact crackdown, meaning more lower tackles, therefore could it increase in concussions to defenders.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
2021 Failed HIA's - Brian Seeny (NRL Physio) - 57% players making a tackle, 10% Accidental eg head clashes, 33% players running the ball. So if the percentage of the ball carriers comes down due to the high contact crackdown, meaning more lower tackles, therefore could it increase in concussions to defenders.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Ethan, 2021 Failed HIA's - Brian Seeny (NRL Physio) - 57% players making a tackle, 10% Accidental eg head clashes, 33% players running the ball. So if the percentage of the ball carriers comes down due to the high contact crackdown, meaning more lower tackles, therefore could it increase in concussions to defenders.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
2021 Failed HIA's - Brian Seeny (NRL Physio) - 57% players making a tackle, 10% Accidental eg head clashes, 33% players running the ball. So if the percentage of the ball carriers comes down due to the high contact crackdown, meaning more lower tackles, therefore could it increase in concussions to defenders.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
I know. i'm dumb. Thanks for pointing it out. 2021 Failed HIA's - Brian Seeny (NRL Physio) - 57% players making a tackle, 10% Accidental eg head clashes, 33% players running the ball. So if the percentage of the ball carriers comes down due to the crackdown, meaning more lower tackles, therefore an increase in concussions to the defender.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
2021 Failed HIA's - Brian Seeny (NRL Physio) . . 57% players making a tackle . 10% Accidental eg head clashes . 33% player running the ball
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Can someone tell why there still tacklers ( often the third opposition player in ) lifting players resulting in a potential spear tackle? Its not even an anger thing and everyone knows how dangerous it is. Its a serious question.
Ethan
Roar Rookie
hOw MaNy GaMeS hAvE yOu PlAyEd?
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am yet to see any evidence, it feels as you say a idea that many have latched onto to rail aqainst the crack down. And to point out tackling around the hips front in is not the correct or good technique. You shoulders need to be aiming for the middle of the torso, the bottom of the rib cage.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Who are you talking to? I haven't written anything, champ. And you're comparing apples to oranges to justify your logic. Go back to believing we all want to see players whacked in the head.
Davico
Roar Pro
You have just written an article saying that the crackdown will lead to more concussions with absolutely ZERO data to back up the statement! What would you say is the closest game to RL if not RU? If you are just working on a hunch, why even write the article?
Davico
Roar Pro
You have obviously never played the sport so pipe down!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Definitely I don’t think any of us are saying that tackling around the legs is risk free, but there seems to be this false economy that cracking down on head shots means defenders will be tackling around the legs I don’t see it that way. I think we’re expecting defenders to drop their target 30cm so there’s still a leeway if things go wrong. Papali’is tackle on the weekend is a perfect example. That’s how I’d be coaching my team. The other alternative is don’t change a thing, but don’t cry foul when you get four or five weeks on the pine because things have gone wrong
Ethan
Roar Rookie
"I was a low tackler when I played, my contact was always around the hips. I had plenty of concussions while playing, I reckon 90% of them was from defending low" Andrew Johns, the eighth immortal this week on his Freddy and the Eighth show.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
" But Tedesco fell into the tackle and his head made contact with Burr’s right pectoral muscle – there was nothing Burr could have done to avoid head contact." The AFL had this issue when they cracked down on head high contact too - players ignoring the health risks, bending down and leading with their heads to try and artificially draw illigal contact. As such, a crackdown designed to improve safety and eliminate head high contact had the opposite effect for a time. A second rule tweak was needed to have the desired effect, stripping protection from players who "ducked" into a tackle - this was now seen as self inflicted and play on. While some still try to sag at the knees to try and draw contact, it definitely helped encourage the desired outcome. Being that league players are less likely to need to be bending down and pick up the ball, hopefully such a rule tweak could be done in a fairly straightforward manner, discouraging players like Tedesco from putting themselves at risk for a penalty.
Ethan
Roar Rookie
People just like to be dramatic
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
"Dumbest" is unnecessary. Which part of tackling lower ensures more people get their head in the right *opinion... I assume you meant position. Jake Friend retired because he always tackled low and got his head in the wrong position. Seen it happen a few times recently
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Yeah I haven't seen anyone anywhere say they are keen to see players get whacked in the head. Thats just silly. And Union is played at a much slower speed than league