To me, this was another in the long line of cases of referees (bunker or on field) making decisions not based on what actually happened in the flow of the game, but because it “must be” an infringement...
Knock ons are are specialty here. How many balls spill out the back of a tackle, or as per Jack Birds “try” yesterday from gaining possession of Hutchison...
Just because a ball is simultaneously touching two opposing players - it absolutely does not mean either has knocked it on. Or even when a player loses possession in a tackle and it dribbles behind him.. 3 out of every 4 times the ref blows a whistle ... on pure speculation...
Curran’s hit was a great shot IMO. Like the Cronulla player on the bulldog (can’t remember names). Yet, as the league is under the microscope of the “head knock issues”... these are penalised - not because of proven contact with the head - but coz they “must be” hitting the head as a result of the ball carrier hitting the deck n lying down afterward...
I thought they must have ruled that Curran’s Shoulder got Jennings on the chin despite what the commentators said. It’s the only way that could have been a penalty, sin bin etc. But I don’t think that happened.... it was just speculation from the bunker as a result of a player lying down on the ground after a tackle....
Curran
The Shark with long hair
Ravalawa
Crichton
All hit their opponents facing them front on with their shoulder. 2 were sin binned, 3 placed on report, while one was applauded in commentary and put on the fox highlights reel as a “great hit”... how???
Some will say attempting to “wrapping arms” etc but I couldn’t agree less. Like saying I had my foot on the brake as I ran a red light as a defence. The shoulder hits the opponent... the opponent gets knocked down... I don’t think any of these warranted a penalty.... none hit the head. Jack bird got hit similarly yesterday by a similar shoulder but nothing happened... as there were two in the tackle it presumably got overlooked...
I feel for you Warriors fans on that ruling. As a dragons fan weve copped at least 3 x try “reversals” from the bunker which IMO were pure speculation from Chiddy n Co - not definitive proof to overturn the referees ruling.
I don’t blame the on-field refs for making calls but I hate this bunker system this season. I didn’t mind it last year but it’s sincerely turned me off enjoying watching league.
I’d far more prefer going back to two referees with 2 distinct/separate areas of play to rule on. And a bunker that does NOT interject the run of play or a referees ruling, only if asked by a man with the whistle.
Curran didn’t deserve any penalty, the Warriors didn’t deserve to be a man down, and Curran does not deserve any suspension of any kind. That happened because of bunker interjection and speculation after a guy was lying down. It’s crap.
This years rule changes are the one area that I’d give V’Landys n co in the ARLC a huge “FAIL” under his tenure.
