This year ‘player welfare’ has been the catch cry for the NRL.
It’s the reason that was proffered for the crackdown on contact to the head. It was one of the main discussion points during the conversation about whether to postpone the Rugby League World Cup. And, of course, it has been central in the changes to concussion protocol over several seasons.
Don’t get me wrong, player welfare is an absolute priority. But it is not enough that we talk about it. We have to walk the walk as well.
So it’s in this context that I watch the Latrell Mitchell hit on Joseph Manu in Friday’s game between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs and wonder how it all went so wrong?
I am absolutely astounded that it took so long for play to stop, and that it took Manu approaching Mitchell for the incident to be placed on report and for Mitchell to be put in the sin bin.
The match officials got this wrong – not only in how long it took to identify the incident, but also in only sending Mitchell from the field for ten.
Mitchell should have been sent off, which would have led to a much less fiery affair for the remainder of the game.
But in a way I don’t blame the match officials for being unsure about what to do.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
This NRL season has been characterised by rule changes made on the fly and then interpretation of the rules being changed week by week.
Even last week we saw a new rule proposal about kicks that find touch resulting in the opposition receiving a seven-tackle set. That proposal was tested in the media before consultation with key stakeholders – like the players.
Something that really unsettles me is uncertainty. It’s something I am struggling with right now given we are living through a pandemic. I’ll assume players and match officials are struggling too, given the constant changes to the rules and how they are interpreted.
There have been situations where play has been called back because of an incident that happened several minutes prior. But we also have high shots being missed by the referee, the touch judge and the bunker.
We criticise players for ‘staying down’ but in this instance, ‘staying down’ was the only reason that Mitchell was put on report.
Staggering.
Then there was some of the media commentary around it and in particular, comments made on 100% Footy on Monday night.
Was Phil Gould defending the high shot?
I have not seen anyone on social media suggesting that Mitchell’s intention was to break Manu’s cheekbone (if anyone has, I would be keen to see it).
But it absolutely cannot be argued that Mitchell wanted to hurt Manu. There was intent there and to suggest anything otherwise is laughable.
What has also been curious to watch in the wake of the incident are the aspersions cast about Mitchell’s character.
On the field, the 24-year-old is a competitor. Some people may even call him a bully. The shot on Manu was not the first time that Mitchell has been involved in unsavoury conduct on the field and I have no doubt that it will happen again.
The Bunnies’ fullback plays an aggressive brand of football and he plays right on the line of what is fair play and what is foul play. Sometimes he gets it wrong and sometimes he gets it right, that’s the risk you take when you sign a player like him to your club.
Mitchell has admitted that he absolutely hates to lose and that on the field, his opposition are enemies.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
But there is a difference between who Mitchell is on the field and who he is off it.
To question his character based on his aggressive style of football is unfair.
Additionally, we don’t know what happened after the game. My guess is that Mitchell would have taken the chance to apologise to his mate. Just because it wasn’t shared on social media, doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen.
Off the field, Mitchell is a young man who is still growing up. I’ve seen images and videos of him having wonderful fan encounters. What immediately springs to mind is the care he showed to Quaden Bayles, who then led the Australian Indigenous side out at the All Stars match in 2020.
I reflect on his pride for his Indigenous heritage and the courage he has shown in having conversations about the appropriateness of the national anthem and his role in my favourite NRL season opener campaign, where he stood with pride, draped in the Aboriginal flag.
Souths stars Latrell Mitchell (left) and Cody Walker. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)
Mitchell has paid an extremely heavy price for his actions on the field.
He has injured a mate. He will miss the remainder of the season. South Sydney have lost one of their best players and will go into the finals severely weakened because Mitchell is not there.
This punishment is absolutely enough. I’m hopeful that it prompts Mitchell to consider his tackle technique, because these types of incidents have become too common in Mitchell’s game.
I want Mitchell to be recognised and remembered for the great player he is and the contribution he has made to the game off the field.
Behaviour like the tackle on Manu only detracts from that.
Annesley
Roar Rookie
Agree as a Souths supporter he needs to reframe his approach to the game and put his team first to be considered an on field leader of the NRL. Off field he’s doing a great job, but now the re-work begins on the grass.
sheek
Roar Guru
Mary, Here is my take. Latrell saw danger on the outside & wanted to stop Manu in a ball & all tackle before he released the ball. There was no intent to hurt, just undue haste in stopping a pass. However unintentional, the tackle was reckless & dangerous. And there is no excuse for those kind of tackles. Players must change their tackling technique but they still refuse to do so. When you attempt a ball & all tackle, you face making contact with the head in two ways. 1. Your arms bounce upwards off the ball into the head. A no no. 2. Your arms make contact with the head as the player drops down. Another no no. The NRL has said the head is out of bounds. Anyone who still disagrees with this is a Neanderthal, or maybe mentally challenged. Or maybe Neanderthal covers that already. When I first started following rugby league in the late 60s, tackling the player in possession at the thighs with a forward propelling tackle was the best option. Next was a tackle around the ankles, with the effect of toppling a tree with an axe. The thighs was the best place to tackle a player because of the fleshiness of the that limb. Old fashioned common sense. But you had to time your tackle with sufficient forward momentum & ensure your head was above the direction of the fall, not under it. So the tackler required correct technique. Andrew Johns knows more about rugby league tactics than I could ever know. But his comment that Latrell doesn't need to change (technique) but to chill is absolute rubbish. Latrell's problem is not his talent, nor his commitment. But he cannot continue with the same tackling technique. And that applies to hundreds of players in the NRL. Yes, he must change his temperament, that is true. But he must also change his technique. In the end, Latrell didn't tackle with malicious intent, but it was clumsy. It was reckless & dangerous. And for that he deserved to be punished. The bunker is a joke. If these people were in most industries, they would be sacked for getting things so often. On that score, Trent Robinson is entirely right.
scrum
Roar Rookie
Yeah - perhaps the players need to complete a Uni degree before coming to grips with dropping the tackle height- it’s just so demanding. This argument is trotted out all the time- nothing but an excuse for foul play- it’s not that hard
PD
Roar Rookie
Mushi, I am not sure how you consider that as a comment on intent? I am not sure how you are reading this or what you are reading into this. Could we please agree to disagree and move on. Perhaps, I could draw your attention to SMH today Andrew Johns, I have just read it and he explains it very clearly. Kind Regards
mushi
Roar Guru
So you didn't write "Hi Mary, I have not commented on Roar for some time and your article has compelled me now to do so."
PD
Roar Rookie
Hi, I think you need to re-read my comments. The comments do not refer to Mary. I find her article balanced. I simply put forward my opinion, one that is founded on real experience. I certainly respect your opinions though but mine are different. Cheers.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Great article. While the NRL needs to prioritise player welfare, players cannot be expected to change techniques they have practiced for a decade or longer in the space of a few days. When the NRL wants to change a rule or interpretation, it needs to happen in the off season. The teams should be consulted, and they must be clearly informed of what the new interpretation/rule will look like on the field. The referees should be involved, and ideally the refereeing fraternity would be visiting clubs to give clarity and oversee training for the adapted technique required. There must be video packages illustrating what is and is not allowed. To just try and change between one round and the next invites failure and walkback of the proposed change, and creates the uncertainty that Mary has identified. If it is bad for the fans, I can only imagine what it is like for players and coaches.
scrum
Roar Rookie
So Mitchell comes in on the blind side of Manu, upright and leading with the shoulder and at high speed. Manu is already partially held. The intent is clear-=Mitchell is a tall man and the outcome is predictable . Andrew John’s in his column says categorically that there was no intent- that is totally illogical and hogwash. He intentionally executed that “tackle” in a highly reckless and dangerous fashion and to try to claim anything else is PR bs. Mitchell is a superstar of the game and in the NRL these players are pampered. Mitchell had many other options- he intentionally chose to do as he did. Johns also said because of the high speed of the game this is inevitable. That is also incorrect- it’s only inevitable if players make bad choices and Mitchell intentionally did that. If the high speed of the game is a factor that is not an excuse- it means that players should take more care and not act as Mitchell did- what do you expect from an upright tackle, leading with the shoulder at high speed.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think you need to re-read how Mary phrased the intent section of the article. She specifically rules out the injury but rather intent to "hurt". I find it hard to argue against that, since I was a kid some players (across all teams at all levels) specialise in making the opponent feel it. The more hurt you try to put on (so the speed and strike zone which then reduces the margin for error as you point out) then the more you risk injuring some one. Where as Gould/Gallen/Weilder have constructed a straw man aobut aiming at Manu's cheek
PD
Roar Rookie
Hi Mary, I have not commented on Roar for some time and your article has compelled me now to do so. With the utmost respect to everyone, it is my opinion to think that there was intent is incorrect, anyone that has played Rugby League or Union at a high level would understand just how much off the mark this is. Gould, Gallen and Weidler get it right, like them or not, these people are correct. Everyone should read and listen to what they have said and wrote and understand the true context of what happened. It is not right to attack a young man in the media who is clearly playing the game at a different and faster level to his opponents. Manu is an outstanding player in all facets of the game and was caught on the wrong angle at the wrong time. Trust me there is no time to withdraw in attack or defence in the way these guys play. Speedy recovery Joey and see you back next year at your brilliant best putting Easts on the front foot, Latrell see you next year in a leadership role on the field with Souths and in continuing the outstanding work you do promoting the game and encouraging juniors off the field. Everyone else outside the game – calm down, take out the emotion and understand that accidents do happen. Cheers
Mon
Guest
You have got to be kidding! Either that or convulsing on your floor I’m a full blown panic attack?!? It wasn’t intentional you hysterical loon. No player goes out there to intentionally rub someone out of the game with illegal play. He got it wrong but not as wrong as you have. Settle down.
Tony
Roar Guru
Good suggestion Kent
Mon
Guest
Andy needs to hear about it personally or it never happened.
Mon
Guest
Jaysus krist settle down you hysterical loon.
Mon
Guest
Wow!! Here we have one of those very same fools who need a personal apology from Latrell to believe he is ‘sincere and remorseful’. I am getting so sick of some of these delicate, holier than thou Easts fans. Pi$$ off. Where do you get the idea that he hates your club? Not that it isn’t justified. And I’m sure Latrell will sleep fine if Andy F isn’t worrying about him.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
can the bunker bung the incident up on the arena big screen (if it has one) like they do in rugby & from there the ref seems to make the decision
Mon
Guest
What a load of chite. It’s be helpful to you if you actually watched the game at all you a$$hat. Not a question of character at all. He knew how to get under Gagai’s skin from playing in the same club team-why not use that advantage? And, again you’re a blind clown, he didn’t slam the ball into anyone after scoring on Friday night.
Wait a minute!
Guest
Cry me a river over poor Mitchell, being punished severely by missing 6 games & a chance to play in the finals again. He obviously didn’t give a crap about kicking , elbowing opposition players in the head this year . Then finishing one of their seasons , with a broken jaw. So he thought he’d go into that tackle & injure Manu. There’s little doubt that he went into that tackle to cause maximum pain to an opponent, even though that opponent was his friend. He may not have meant to break his cheekbone, eye socked? He did mean to cause pain! I think the suspension is light , as many other also do. Especially when he’s already put another player out for the season . It is his fault that he’s suspended. Also the fault of South Sydney Coaches. As Bennett & co. should have been dragging over the coals, for the elbows & kicks to the head that happened before this deliberate shoulder charge to the head.
Ad-O
Guest
You're wrong. It was like getting our game back. Best decision all season.
Pete
Guest
I'm sure the leaguies will eventually work it out when there are big money court cases opening up.