Despite concerns the send-off isn’t always used when it should be following a chaotic Round 22, NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley says that players will still be given their marching orders when required.
Parramatta’s Nathan Brown and South Sydney’s James Roberts were both sent to the bin for ugly acts in their respective games and have since been hit with grade two charges by the MRC.
Though Annesley admitted he would have been comfortable with either player being sent off for their actions, he told reporters during his weekly football briefing that he supported the on-field officials’ decisions.
He says it is ultimately up to the referees to make a call and pointed to the fact that given both players were binned and are now facing suspensions, they did not get away “scot-free”.
Canberra’s Nick Cotric is the only player to have been sent off this year following a dangerous throw.
Brown and Roberts can both accept two-game bans if they make an early plea in response to shoulder charge and dangerous contact charges respectively.
TJ
Guest
Not sure how he wasn't sent off and only received two weeks. Souths can consider themselves very lucky on this. Although I'm sure we'll hear their fans complain about how Melbourne are protected and are the dirtiest team in the comp.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
He says it is ultimately up to the referees to make a call and pointed to the fact that given both players were binned and are now facing suspensions, they did not get away “scot-free” There is a big difference between playing 10 minutes without a player and playing the last 60 minutes without a player. Especially in a game which was decided by less than a converted try. How about we make this a rule; If a player strikes another player in the back of the head, while the latter is lying defenceless on the ground, after the play has stopped, and with force.. Why don't we define that as a send off offence?