The Sydney Roosters have been slugged with a $40,000 breach notice from the NRL as part of the ugly fall out from Friday night’s grudge match against South Sydney.
Coach Trent Robinson has been hit with a $20,000 fine for his post-match blow up at the bunker’s decision not to send off Latrell Mitchell, who fractured Joey Manu’s eye socket with a reckless tackle.
The NRL claims Robinson’s comments contravened rules of public comment that club officials are bound by.
In the breach notice the NRL alleges Robinson claimed match officials had a bias against the Roosters and exposed individual match officials to personal ridicule.
Robinson took aim at bunker official Henry Perenara, calling the whole situation a ‘farce’ and ‘laughable’ because of the delay to address Manu’s injury.
It’s Robinson’s second breach notice from the NRL this year after he was handed a $10,000 suspended fine for similar comments match at a post-match press conference in May following a loss to Parramatta.
Adding to the whopping total, another $10,000 fine has been handed down to Roosters officials who allegedly abused referees from the sideline in Friday nights’ dramatic 54-12 loss to the Rabbitohs.
The NRL also threatened to revoke sideline access for any repeat offence.
An additional $10,000 fine will also be activated if the club is found to have breached NRL rules of public comment.
“Sport can be highly emotional and sometimes people will debate decisions made on the field and we expect all clubs to deal with on-field matters respectfully,” said NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
“We can analyse and debate decisions, but such commentary should not be personalised and disrespectful.
“In our view there was a lack of professionalism shown by the club and its officials across Friday night.
“We’re an elite competition and we should set the standard for how to deal with adversity.”
On Sunday night vision emerged of ex-Roosters star Mitchell in a confrontation with former teammates on the sideline as he walked off the field after being sin-binned.
Although publicly available vision does not show who he was arguing with, reports from the ground suggest it was sidelined players Angus Crichton, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley.
Waerea-Hargreaves is also under investigation by the NRL’s integrity unit for an alleged incident with a Nine Network cameraman.
It’s alleged the Roosters prop swiped at the camera he was holding to protect Manu from being filmed as he walked up the tunnel.
It’s unknown if there is any footage of the alleged incident between Waerea-Hargreaves and the cameraman, and the NRL is yet to make a determination.
The Roosters now have five days to respond to the breach notice.
The proposed fines are the first step taken by the NRL in cleaning up the messy fallout of the clash.
Over the weekend head of football Graham Annesley was forced to admit NRL officials were wrong not to send Mitchell off for the tackle on Manu, for which the Souths superstar will now serve a six-week suspension.
Manu underwent facial reconstruction surgery in a Brisbane hospital on Saturday and despite suffering injuries similar to those seen in a car accident, was coping OK according to teammates.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Steve Mortimer was a great half back but was behind Tom Raudonikus for representative duties. Latrell Mitchell like Mortimer puts everything he’s got into the game and can be a bit careless at times. Comans did a good job but he didn’t need to warn Mortimer RL would be a memory for him if sent off again. Comans resigned in 1986. I think it was Phil Sigsworth who was sent off in the 1986 grand final. It was one of the softest send offs I’ve ever seen.
2blues
Roar Rookie
My main point was comparing the Steve Mortimer situation to Latrell Mitchell's. As a Bulldog supporter, I watched the '85 Grand Final. I wouldn't call it a great game. I haven't watched it since. I am not doubting what you say. I need to watch it again. Over the years with Coman's work, video, and rule changes we don't see the long suspensions from the '80s Coman's crackdown. Didn't the Bulldogs have a player sent off either 85 or 86 Grand Final? Latrell Mitchell is a talented player. At present, he is going to miss a Grand Final through his actions which have led to his suspension. I think he needs to have a long hard think about his approach to the game. He can be competitive, but his play needs to take into account the safety of other fellow players.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Jim Comans was the Chairman of the NSWRL Judiciary from 1980 and was cleaning up the game until he threatened Mortimer. Referees stopped sending players off as in the 1985 grand final where Mortimer hit Graham Wynn high and was not penalised. Wynn had already been knocked out by Peter Kelly with a coward's punch from behind. It was right in front of the referee who penalised Wynn for a scrum infringement. The referee didn't send Kelly off so Comans couldn't do anything about it.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
What makes you think I'm a Raiders fan? The failure of the two referee system at a critical point in the grand final shows the NRL hadn't put much thought into it. Have we seen two on field referees since then? Robinson isn't alone, all coaches accept the lucky breaks and dwell on the unlucky. I don't remember if Ricky Stuart complained about the two referee failure but there hasn't been a refereeing error in the history of the NSWRL or NRL that has affected the result of the grand final like that one.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Oh well, at least you won't need to worry about the Raiders loosing a grand final anytime soon !
2blues
Roar Rookie
I have followed Rugby League long enough to remember Steve Mortimer's judiciary problems toward the end of his career. Steve Mortimer was a player with high personal standards of fair play. He was also super competitive and at the time his speed and skills weren't as they had been earlier in his career. His body just wouldn't do what he wanted and his tackling technique and timing suffered. Tackles went wrong. After a few visits to the judiciary the chairman, Jim Comans, told him if he appeared again rugby league would be a memory. Latrell Mitchell is very competitive. He plays on the edge and unfortunately it went wrong on Friday. I have a lot of empathy for indigenous issues but I think Latrell overplays the angry young man at present. He seems to carry a lot of weight on his shoulders. He needs to come to terms with himself as an indigenous person and rugby league professional. For me, his actions on Friday were inexcusable. Others have tried to find excuses that it happens so fast and the tackle went wrong. Lets say Mitchell ran at Manu to possibly attempt a tackle around the chest. He ended up charging into Manu leading with his shoulder. If we can be charitable and accept it was a high paced tackle that went wrong, Mitchell also needs to recognize all players have a duty of care to each other, including opponents. Manu was defenceless in this situation. If playing on the edge can lead to serious foul play and injuries as it did in this situation all players need to learn to tone their actions down. It's a professional contact sport but it shouldn't be cause of the shocking injury Manu received.Mitchell, actions were extremely reckless. If he continues to play in this thoughtless, reckless and sometimes angry way rugby league and a successful career could be a memory for him.
Wait a minute!
Guest
Eventually & unfortunately Covid will get around to everyone . Hopefully, everyone will be vaccinated soon ( which is a whole other kettle of fish ) & it won’t kill anyone else. Too many lost already .Enjoy the freedom while you have it. It may not last forever!
Onya.
Guest
It worked for the Tigers & their supporters at Leichhardt earlier this season . When Penrith players hadn’t done anything .
Rob
Guest
LOL True, I would imagine I’d be getting a loan from the bank if I was involved with the Cowboys of late. My children have already commented after viewing Tiger Town “He sounds like you Dad”.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Lucky you :stoked:
Rob
Guest
Spot on Jimmmy. Seriously his argument went south after Robinson started the “we aren’t getting our way enough” statements. Personally I can’t watch the Roosters play. They are the second most penalised team in the comp and lead the sin bin numbers for a reason. I actually think you could double those numbers if the officials weren’t getting intimidated by the jersey. Unfortunately the Roosters have succeeded with that type play IMO. I’d also put Tedesco and Walker in the top 10 milkers/ gamesmanship club just to top it off. The Roosters have struggled to beat the 15th placed Broncos by a point and have had 40 plus points put on them by sides but yet still sit around the top 4. Some things fells a bit off when I see that stuff. Fair dinkum Robinson has a hide whinging about penalty counts and foul play costing his team. A big reason they have won games is because the officials feel pressure IMO. The NRL changed the age rule, went on a high tackle crusade, and then backed off leaving Radley on the field after 4 high shots just to pacify the Roosters. Also since when was 6 again for being offside a rule? I’d like to know the numbers on how the Panthers or Rabbits have penalties instead of 6 again compare with Bronco and Dogs? In particular how it become a significant advantage. Robinson should coach the Cowboys, Warriors, Raiders, Dogs, Titans or other clubs for a season and see what respect he gets from officials.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Broadcast rights still being paid ! Qld stadiums open at 100% capacity ! And Qld health fast tracked another plane load of NRL player families into the state today Happy days north of the border, Golf Saturday morning then off to Suncorp for Broncs V Knights. Fishing Sunday then to CBus for Titans V Warriors Suck it up NSW
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Robinson wasn't complaining about the two touch judges that turned a last tackle signal into a six again when the Raiders were in a position to win the grand final with a field goal. Everyone except the top two are getting thrashed these days and the Roosters have a long injury list.
Rob
Guest
Matt Chechen has quit? The was reports sustained abuse directed at officials and himself by players and coaching staff. The abuse started well before Mitchell hit Manu. I think the Rooster need a reminder the game is bigger than them.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
So if the $40k goes into an injured players fund does that mean the Roosters can cut out the middle man and just pay the money directly to Joey Manu’s surgeon?
kk
Roar Pro
Yes indeed , Albo. Odenkirk and his partner Rhea Seahorn (Kim Wexler) make Better Call Saul the best series of the past decade thanks to the genius of Gilligan & Gould.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I'm a fan of Bob O too ! Haven't seen "Nobody" yet. But loved him "Breaking Bad " And Better Call Saul ".
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
So why is the NRL so intent on forcing coaches to front the media post game ? Emotions are high, players hurt, season on the line, what sort of response do the NRL expect ? Mabey Monday after the news nine could run a half hour of all coach interviews from the round, letting the coaches have a more considered and reviewed response ? It would have to be better than Sons & Daughters or the Bride wants a Farmer and all the other rubbish the dish up week nights !
kk
Roar Pro
Bloody brilliant,'s'
Paul
Roar Guru
I get where you're coming from and don't disagree, but I don't think JWH sees it that way. I'm guessing to him, his guy getting belted is not on, while belting another bloke is okay as long as you're prepared to wear the cost, which he is. Not saying it's right, just suggesting that could be the "logic"