'We're the ones being punished': Sharks fume over Sam Burgess' lucky escape

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josie andrews
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'We're the ones being punished': Sharks fume over Sam Burgess' lucky escape

Post by josie andrews »

Cronulla have slammed the decision not to suspend Sam Burgess for the sickening high shot that has sideline concussed playmaker Matt Moylan this weekend, declaring: "It doesn't sit well that we're the club that has been penalised."

Burgess bought his freedom, paying a A$1900 (NZ$1992) fine after he was successful in having his careless high tackle reduced from a grade two to a grade one at the judiciary on Tuesday night.

The South Sydney forward is free to take his place in Sunday's blockbuster against Melbourne, while Moylan will miss Friday's crucial clash with Penrith due to the lingering effects of the head knock.

The NRL has pledged a wide-ranging review of its match review committee, judiciary, referees and bunker at the end of the season with NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg confirming as much to disgruntled club bosses.

However, it is cold comfort for the Sharks after they prepare for a potentially season-defining game without their star fullback.

We're not happy that we have one of our big, marquee players off the field because of that incident," Cronulla group chief executive Richard Munro told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"We're not happy about the incident and we're not happy that we've got our player off. We are the ones that are penalised.

There's no punishment so to speak [for the Rabbitohs], just a small monetary fine.

"The judiciary has processes and they review these sort of things but, at the end of the day, we're the ones being penalised by having one of our best players off the park.

"The process found he is not guilty and he has paid a small fine. We're the club that has been penalised because our main player is off the park.

"It doesn't seem right, does it?"

Clubs are increasingly frustrated by a lack of consistency from the match review committee and the judiciary. The Burgess decision is the latest in a series of outcomes that have perplexed powerbrokers and fans this season.

Jake Trbojevic didn't miss a game for a dangerous lifting tackle against the Storm, Josh McGuire has twice been fined for making contact with the face of an opponent that many in the game believed was an eye gouge, Tariq Sims controversially missed a State of Origin decider for "dangerous contact" on the Cowboys' Michael Morgan, while Panthers star Viliame Kikau missed two games for a tackle he still doesn't believe is a shoulder charge.

On the same night Burgess escaped suspension, the judiciary suspended James Maloney for one week for tripping, a result that has further angered Penrith powerbrokers. Even Souths coach Wayne Bennett appeared consigned to losing Burgess after the Moylan incident.

"I'm not happy about that," Bennett said in the post-match press conference. "Sam's been out for a number of weeks and it's time for him to come back and lead from the front and stay within the rules of the game."

Munro said it was important there were consequences for high shots such as the one that sidelined Moylan.

"It's about following the rules and if the rules are broken there should be a punishment," Munro said. "I agree with the Souths coach, who [articulated] it very well.

"Consistency is important and anything like this isn't the case because we're the ones being punished. We've lost a player and it's one of the best players in the team. It doesn't quite seem to balance out to me."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/11 ... cky-escape
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
josie andrews
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Re: 'We're the ones being punished': Sharks fume over Sam Burgess' lucky escape

Post by josie andrews »

Cook confused over Burgess' NRL ban

Even South Sydney hooker Damien Cook has been left scratching his head over teammate Sam Burgess escaping with a fine for his high shot on Cronulla's Matt Moylan.

Cook has called for an end-of-year judiciary review after admitting he was confused by the decision while Penrith's James Maloney copped a one match ban for tripping.

There has been outrage over South Sydney skipper Burgess being allowed to take part in Sunday's blockbuster against Melbourne after successfully having his careless tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary this week.

NSW coach Brad Fittler on Thursday said it was "ridiculous" that Burgess had escaped with a $1900 fine while Sharks fullback Moylan will miss this week because of delayed onset concussion.

While relieved Burgess had escaped a ban, Cook admitted he was just as confused as NRL fans as to how the judiciary reached their verdicts after Maloney was hit with a suspension.

"We're, at the moment, probably on the same page as some of the fans," he told Sky Sports Radio.

"I'm not exactly 100 per cent sure on how they grade everything these days.

"With Sam, you weren't sure (but) Maloney went in there, had a trip and gets a week and Sam is downgraded to a fine.

"I think we're all learning the new system to be honest with you."

However, Cook hoped an end of season review removed the judiciary's "grey areas".

"We just want a clear understanding of what's what," he said.

"Make it black and white. This year there's been a few grey areas.

"Definitely in the off-season, if they can make everything black and white going into next year, the fans won't have any issues."

Meanwhile, Fittler maintained the rage over the Burgess verdict on the Wide World of Sports website on Thursday.

"I thought it was ridiculous. That was just ridiculous," he said.

"Matty Moylan had about a tenth of a second to prepare for Sam.

"Matty spotted him right at the last second and had no time to prepare for any sort of impact.

"And Sam has hit him straight on the chin. For Sam not to miss a week is ridiculous.

"Matt Moylan's not playing this week because he got knocked out."

Former MRC chairman Greg McCallum this week told AAP that Burgess should have been hit with the more serious charge of reckless high tackle, which would attract a three to four week ban.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... /?cs=14274
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
josie andrews
Posts: 35575
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
Location: Wigan
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Re: 'We're the ones being punished': Sharks fume over Sam Burgess' lucky escape

Post by josie andrews »

I think it's about time our "Disciplinary Rules"were looked into after the debacle of the game in Perpignan last weekend.

There is no consistency at all with punishment meted out to certain players & clubs.

And I also feel that there needs to be consistency on the field too.

We all see things differently, referees are no exception, but there has got to be specific criteria for the main rules.
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
thegimble
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Re: 'We're the ones being punished': Sharks fume over Sam Burgess' lucky escape

Post by thegimble »

Reason his punishment got reduced was that a challenge 2 weeks ago was bad one and the player got away with it James Traboiavich for a spear tackle and got away with it. Michael Ennis is correct the spear tackle is a lot worse and he got a grade 1. Sam initially got a grade 2.
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