Can you tackle a dummy runner?

[Perth Red]

There's been a couple of penalties blown so far this season due to the dummy runner being tackled by the defence. Given the whole point of being a dummy runner is to draw defenders is it fair to invoke the 'tackled without the ball' rule in this instance?

 

[T-Boon]

Good question.

 

[Munky]

Imo if they are in front of the ball and a realistic chance of receiving the ball they are fair game

 

[BadnMean]

There's been a couple of penalties blown so far this season due to the dummy runner being tackled by the defence. Given the whole point of being a dummy runner is to draw defenders is it fair to invoke the 'tackled without the ball' rule in this instance?

NRL big brains have determined that the most marketable rugby league product encourages the defender to fall over whenever he touches a dummy runner, in order to invoke an obstruction call.

This is 17% more desireable to 2 key demographics than allowing players to smash any merkin wot comes near 'em.

Boo!

 

[gerg]

Flip a coin. Tails, the runner is penalised for obstruction, heads the defender. But of course rules in rugby league can not be applied simply on the toss of a coin. Other important factors are of course who milks it best and even more importantly who is playing who.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Is there any other sport where the ref coaches the players on the field?
Is there another sport where ‘milking’ is a legitimate term?

 

[ACTPanthers]

Is there any other sport where the ref coaches the players on the field?
Is there another sport where ‘milking’ is a legitimate term?

NBA has "flopping" which is pretty much the same

 

[Knight76]

This used to be called tackled on suspicion and was fine.

I don't understand how a player can run a decoy line, could actually get the ball, but doesn't. The defence acts like he is going to get it, you know, exactly the idea of a decoy, yet get penalised for it.

It's insane.

We see crash plays where the ball is given to the runner right on the line of defence. Attacking team, why not run that same play, yet only dummy him the ball, player tackled and there you have it, penalty.

And don't get me started on crusher tackles. Embarrassment to the game.