Parramatta winger Matt Petersen has labelled Roosters speedster Chris Walker "a girl" after the Eel had his dreadlocked hair tugged by the controversial winger last week.
In a bitter aftermath to the Eels' fianl game of the season. Petersen said he was shocked to have his hair grabbed and yanked by Walker.
The incident highlights Walker's on-field immaturity and ill-disipline leading into the Roosters' opening finals game against Canberra today.
The Raiders will see Walker's teperament as a small chink in the Rooster' mighty armour.
Both players admit nothing triggered the incident and Petersen has questioned Walekr's on-field attitude.
"I do have long hair but you don't expect to get it pulled when you run on to the field." said Petersen, who is nicknamed after The Simpson's character Sidshow Bob.
"I haven't really had any problems this year but the other day...I don't know what happened or what he was thinking
"There was nothing leading up to it as far as I'm concerned. I got tackled had had a few blokes on top of me and next thing I felt someone grabbing my hair and pulling hard.
"I just got up and threw the ball at him to let him know I wasn't happy."
"I can't talk for what goes through his mind. Maybe he was trying to put me off my game."
Petersen described Walker qas a "good player". But when pressed about what he thought of the former Broncos and Souths winger's on-field behaviour, he didn't back down.
"As far as I'm concerned, the only people who pull you hair in a fight are girls, so it's certainly not a very manly thing to do." Petersen said
"If that's his go, to carry on like a girl and pull people's hair, then it's up to him"
"I know it's not my go and not the go of almost every other player in the game."
Petersen had his hair pulled by Bulldogs forward Willie Mason in the Eels' opening premiership game of the season, a 48-14 flogging by the Bulldogs.
Since the3n he has managed to survive the entire season withoput having his trademark locks tugged.
After the Mason incident, NRL match review chairman siad hair-pulling could see a charge of contary conduct levelled against a player.
Walker was recluctant to talk about the incident, but he did say nothing provoked him tp pull Petersen's hair.
He was not prepared to explain his actions when The Sunday Telegraph contacted him.
"I don't know if I really want to talk about that." Walker said.
"I'd rather leave it alone...it's not something I want to go into."
Told that Petersen had labelled him a "girl" Walker was unrepentant.
"Mate, that's sweet." He said. "Where is he now?" On his Mad Monday? Good luck to him."
