From today's SMH
Clubs may tackle charges
Greg Prichard and Glenn Jackson | September 4, 2007
THE Bulldogs and South Sydney will each hold high-powered meetings this morning to decide the judiciary fates of Kiwi Test stars Sonny Bill Williams and David Fa'alogo, who each face the possibility of missing the finals after being charged by the match review committee yesterday.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes said yesterday the incident for which Williams was charged with grade-two striking was "innocuous", while Fa'alogo, who was charged with grade-four striking, said he threw a punch as a reaction to being "choked".
Williams is looking at a two-match ban if he pleads guilty or three weeks if he contests the charge and is found guilty. Fa'alogo is looking at five or seven games.
Folkes said the challenge by Williams on Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston, who was hit high after kicking the ball, did not warrant Williams missing the qualifying final against North Queensland at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night.
"He shouldn't be penalised out of finals football for something that was innocuous," he said. "I think that, with striking, you need to show intent, and I don't think there was any intent from Sonny to hit him in the head."
Fa'alogo apologised yesterday for punching Sydney Roosters five-eighth Braith Anasta in Saturday's game, but argued he had been provoked.
"I felt like I was getting choked, that's why I got up and did what I did," Fa'alogo said. "I felt out of breath and couldn't breathe. I feel terrible about what I have done and I regret doing it. I want to apologise to the fans and my teammates for what I have done."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said while the club did not condone what Fa'alogo did, he inferred Anasta had made a grapple tackle on the Rabbitohs forward. Anasta was not charged over the tackle and review boss Greg McCallum said: "We didn't feel it was a grapple tackle. He [Anasta] holds him, but at no time is the head or neck locked down. It's a wrapping tackle. He held him down a bit too long and that's why he was penalised. If Fa'alogo had attempted to move he would have been able to move."
Souths co-owner Peter Holmes a Court blasted the decision not to charge Anasta, saying: "I don't understand why it's OK to strangle a person, and you don't get charged for that. I don't have anything against Braith, but I'm disappointed you can put that much pressure on someone's windpipe and apparently it's not a problem. I'm really upset he wasn't charged."
Richardson said club and legal representatives would meet today to decide whether to accept a penalty or contest the charge. Folkes said the Bulldogs were doing the same.
The Rabbitohs, who play Manly at Brookvale Oval on Saturday, have adopted a siege mentality as they prepare for the club's first finals game since 1989. Five players are available to the media today, but after that all will be off limits for the rest of the week - with only coach Jason Taylor talking.
Anasta was not fined for his criticism, during and after the game, of referee Ben Cummins.
But NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said club bosses would be warned at today's chief executives' conference that criticism of match officials by players would not be tolerated.
In other news, Manly prop Brent Kite is likely to be out until the grand final - if the Sea Eagles make it - after scans revealed a tear to his adductor muscle. Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt will not return this season as his injured hamstring has not healed.[/B)
Time to move on kiddies.
