No court action against Williams
By Chris Stedman
July 20, 2004
MELBOURNE Storm's Danny Williams, charged with one of the most sickening attacks in the game for 20 years, received some good news yesterday.
Williams will face the judiciary tomorrow night after he king-hit Wests Tigers' Mark O'Neill at Leichhardt Oval last Saturday night.
But he won't face being dragged through the court system.
Wests Tigers club officials ruled out O'Neill taking civil action against Williams or the Storm.
O'Neill, who required oxygen in the dressing room after the match, which the Tigers won 32-18, was cleared yesterday of a suspected broken cheekbone but had no recollection of how he had been hit.
Club doctor Donald Quay said scans had shown no break but he ordered O'Neill be stood down from the match against the Bulldogs at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday night.
After the scans O'Neill attended the Tigers' rehabilitation session at Concord Oval.
Williams, who wrote a letter of apology to O'Neill on Sunday, could be suspended for the remainder of the season.
He is off contract at the end of season and Melbourne have not shown any interest in re-signing the 30-year-old.
The serious nature of Williams' action -- he left his team's attacking line to strike O'Neill -- has been condemned as the worst since NSW forward Les Boyd struck Daryl Brohman in a State Of Origin match at Lang Park in 1983.
Former leading referee Bill Harrigan said yesterday Williams should be banned for three months.
O'Neill was charged over the tackle that preceded Williams' action with a grade one careless high tackle, but it won't result in suspension.
Wests Tigers said yesterday they would consider challenging O'Neill's charge despite the fact it carried insufficient points to earn a suspension.
Tigers coaching co-ordinator Brian Hider denied the club had an ulterior motive in considering defending O'Neill's tackle on Williams.
"It's got nothing to do with what followed. It's Mark's reputation we are concerned with. It's his 11th year in first grade without penalty," Hider said.
Storm officials sent a clear message they would make a vigorous submission, if not defence, at tomorrow night's judiciary after review commissioner Greg McCallum referred Williams to a compulsory hearing at NRL headquarters in Sydney.
Melbourne chief executive, former Test coach Frank Stanton, one of the game's most experienced administrators, is expected to represent Williams at the hearing with assistant coach Dean Lance.
"We are seeking all footage of the incident we can get our hands on and will continue with that process until we have exhausted all options," Stanton said.
The fact the club would not formalise how it would respond to the charge -- which is required by midday today -- indicates it will support Williams.
The pair clashed in round 13 this season with O'Neill receiving a badly broken nose but neither club would publicly admit to any correlation between the incidents.
Melbourne hope Williams' career won't be remembered for his actions last Saturday night.
Coach Craig Bellamy excused Williams from training yesterday afternoon but denied his presence would be distracting and that he needed to talk to the team about the matter.
Bellamy said Williams was "doing okay".
"The players aren't stupid. They know what has happened and don't need me to address them," Bellamy said.
He said Williams was remorseful and ashamed of his actions.
Brisbane and Australia prop Shane Webcke refused to condone Williams' attack on O'Neill, but hoped it would not end his career.
"It was pretty bad, but I don't know whether it should end a career," Webcke said.
O'Neill was barred from speaking to the media yesterday, but did issue a statement.
"I would like to thank everyone for the concern they have shown me. After further tests this morning I can confirm I have been cleared of any serious injury, and am only disappointed I will miss this weekend's game against the Bulldogs," O'Neill said.
