With only two more rounds of NRL before the finals series kicks off, much is being written and spoken about the questionable action of Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton during their game against the Melbourne Storm on Friday night.
Crichton is the sort of player that often attracts the ire of opposition coaches with some of his questionable defensive decisions, but this one on the Storm fullback definitely requires some explaining.
And the explanation should come from the NRL as to why no action has been taken.
Considering the big centre’s hand definitely appeared to viciously rake across the face of Ryan Papenhuyzen, and no one watching on television missed it.
In fairness, the NRL has done a great job in stamping out some of the grubby acts some players used to get up to, but at times there do seem to be double standards.
The on-field action following Storm captain Harry Grant’s shoulder charge was a sin bin, whereas the rake across the face delivered by the Dogs captain on the Storm fullback seems to have been deemed okay?
I think a shoulder charge can be one of the most dangerous tackles of all, and the ball carrier can and often does also use the shoulder of the ball-carrying arm to devasting affect.
It is certainly as damaging as a defensive shoulder charge. It should not be allowed and needs immediate consideration.
But back to how everything is panning out as the sands of time run down on this season’s competition.
Canberra’s success at this stage is in my opinion due solely to coach Ricky Stuart, who does not reflect the new image of coaching that is slowly appearing in the game.
He demonstrates week after week that coaching is an art, not a science.
