Melbourne Storm prop Adam Blair charged by match review committee
September 07, 2009
Melbourne Storm's forwards depth is set to be tested in Friday night's opening NRL qualifying final against Manly after prop Adam Blair was charged by the match review committee.
Blair has been charged with grade one dangerous contact for a "chicken-wing" tackle on the Warriors' Micheal Luck during
Saturday's 30-0 victory to Storm in Auckland.
The New Zealand international will miss the grand final rematch regardless of whether Storm accept the ban or choose to fight it at the NRL judiciary.
Storm are battling a front row injury crisis with Matt Cross (leg) out for the season and Jeff Lima still in doubt with a broken thumb.
Second-rower Sika Manu is also sidelined for the season with a leg injury.
Blair's charge could also reignite debate about Melbourne's wrestling tactics, which have previously cost the side dearly in finals football.
Last year, influential captain Cameron Smith was rubbed out of the grand final – lost 40-0 – for a grapple tackle the week before in a preliminary final against Brisbane Broncos.
The Bulldogs received a reprieve when the match review committee decided against charging centre Josh Morris following a lifting tackle on Wests Tigers prop Keith Galloway in Friday night's
34-12 loss at the Sydney Football Stadium.
South Sydney's Ben Lowe was charged with a grade one careless high tackle but will not miss any matches when the 2010 season gets underway.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26038062-5018866,00.html