REPORT: “Careless action”; NRL acknowledges error in Walsh controversy.
After the NRL shockingly admitted that Panthers center Taylan May should have been penalized for a head collision with Reece Walsh that resulted in a facial fracture for the Broncos star, Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters had every right to be incensed.
Walsh was forced off the field in the first half of the game and had to drive back to Queensland after receiving a medical clearance to fly. May was penalized for this incident. The fullback passed an HIA but was unable to return to the field because of blurred vision.
Following the Broncos’ inability to use their 18th player, Walters became enraged. His rage increased when NRL head of football Graham Annesley stated on Monday that he would have been pleased if May had been charged and sent in the sin bin.
Annesley cited an email he wrote to all 17 NRL clubs on April 5 of last year, alerting them to the dangers of defenders closing in and hitting attackers in the head.
Annesley claims that match review commissioner Luke Patten erred in his explanation of how they arrived at the conclusion last week, claiming that May did not lead with his head or shoulder.
“From the administration’s perspective, we believe that this at least crosses the line into reckless behavior,” he stated.
A tackle can go tragically wrong when players try to stop the play by springing out of the line and cutting in field, frequently at a fast speed with very little margin for error.
“This is where the game administration feels the match review committee ought to have taken action in relation to this specific incident.”
Although Annesley believes the MRC made a mistake in that particular play, he applauded them for not reporting John Bateman for a tackle that left Toby Rudolf of Cronulla with a moon boot.
Although there were certain components of a hip-drop tackle, Annesley clarified why it wasn’t warranted a charge despite the accusations to the contrary.
He stated, “There will occasionally be instances where limbs become entangled in bodies, but that isn’t the initial point of contact—it’s not the weight bearing down on the limb.”
Without a doubt, Rudolf’s leg gets caught beneath, but this is far different from a tackle where the tackler’s whole weight falls squarely on the player’s limb as they make contact with the ground.
“In this instance, John Bateman discovered the grass initially, and the leg became entangled beneath the body.”
Annesley, meantime, is pleased that Jake Trbojevic was penalized by the Bunker for an obstruction that would have cost Manly two competition points during their loss to Parramatta.
Tolu Koula was set up by the lock forward who stopped in the defensive line, preventing Luca Moretti from reaching Tom Trbojevic.
Jake won’t make contact if he crosses that line. He pauses,” Annesley remarked.
“He sees the player there and understands that’s about the line to where the ball is coming, so he’s running straight towards him. The player has halted where he can’t stop.
“If Jake wasn’t in the defensive line, would he have tried to fill that hole? Players consider this while determining where to be in order to cover gaps.
“Players who are going to be utilized as lead runners need to understand that they need to cross that line. When it’s executed correctly, you can literally see the lead runners avoid making contact with the defense by stepping around them.
“In this instance, Jake had stopped directly in front of the Parramatta player, so there was nothing he could have done to avoid it.”
GET RELATED CONTENTS ON: BLACKSPORTNEWS.CO.UK