South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett says he isn’t convinced George Burgess’ controversial act was an eye gouge during the loss to the Wests Tigers.
Burgess is likely to face a stint on the sidelines after he appeared to dig his fingers into Tigers veteran Robbie Farah’s eyes in the opening minutes of the second half.
Farah immediately got up, claiming he had been gouged with commentators appalled at Burgess’ actions upon viewing replays.
However while Bennett did say it was completely unnecessary, he wasn’t sure if it really was an eye gouge or not.
The Rabbitohs prop, who was reported over the incident, had copped a four-game ban over the offseason for eye-gouging New Zealand’s Dallin Watene-Zelezniak during a Test appearance for England.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
If Robbie didn't have a sloping forehead and he had a planet sized melon like either Nat Myles or the Burgess boys there would have been no contact with the eyes at all. Personally, I blame evolution! LOL
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well said Papi.
Insider
Roar Rookie
I thought it was the forehead, can someone tell skeletor Nate left 3 years ago
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
it's a wonder Bennett commented on the incident as he hadn't seen a clear version of the event. Maybe it's just him taking some heat off his player. l
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
According to Wayne Robbie Farah's eyes must have shifted northwards to the forehead - Cyclops style
Flexis
Roar Rookie
A “lower forehead gouge” should still see him spend plenty of games on the sideline.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Spot on Papi. This would have been the time to wheel out the “let’s see what the judiciary says”.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
No Wayne, there is absolutely NO excuse for a player to have their hand on another player's face. If it had happened to Sam you would have been up in arms about it. There is a fine line between loyalty and protecting your players and calling a thing for what it is when a player crosses the line, as you have now done on trying to justify George's reprehensible act.