Dogs won't take no for an answer
Greg Prichard | April 4, 2009
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/clubs/bulldogs/dogs-wont-take-no-for-an-answer/2009/04/03/1238261797736.html
THE Bulldogs have failed in their first attempt to try to prevent the loss of two competition points for temporarily fielding a 14th player against Penrith two weeks ago, but it has not weakened their belief that they can still argue their way out of the penalty.
After NRL chief executive David Gallop yesterday told the club its submission had not been successful in having the penalty reduced and that the two points had officially been deducted, Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg began the process aimed at winning the right to take the case to the league's appeals committee, headed by Laurence Street.
"We expected the result we got at this stage," Greenberg said last night. "It didn't come as a surprise, given that it was the league that came up with the penalty in the first place, but it was part of the process we had to follow. So as soon as David informed me of the decision I told him we would be seeking leave to appeal, to get that part of the process in motion. We'll now put that application in writing and forward it to the league on Monday.
"We believe we've got a good case, so hopefully we'll be able to convince Sir Laurence that the appeal deserves to be heard and then present our argument in front of the tribunal."
The Bulldogs drew level with the Panthers at 26-26 through a late Ben Roberts try in the game at CUA Stadium, and then won it off winger Hazem El Masri's successful conversion. But it subsequently emerged that the Bulldogs had 14 men on the field when the try was scored, due to an interchange mix-up.
The club argued that the loss of the two points was too severe, but in announcing the decision was to stand, Gallop said: "We considered their submission, but we still believe that it was a major breach of the rule and that the penalty that is appropriate is the loss of the competition points. The club has the opportunity to seek leave to appeal, and they are going ahead with that."
The Bulldogs will try to win the right to have an appeal heard by detailing what they regard as extenuating circumstances that back their belief the penalty was too harsh. Last weekend, the Bulldogs lost to Gold Coast with the threat of the two-point penalty hanging over their heads.
Asked if he thought that, now the penalty was official, there might be a disappointment factor that could damage the team's chances of beating Cronulla tomorrow, coach Kevin Moore replied: "I don't think so. We expected what has happened today. It was the next stage that we always knew we were headed for.
"The players are
getting on with the game. Hopefully, we'll get a good result from the appeals process. We've never argued that the infringement didn't happen, but we believe that - under the circumstances in which it happened - the penalty is too harsh."
i:lol:d:x
