The mistake Simpkins made was not consulting with the video ref. I've looked at the tackle a few times in normal speed and, from the position Simpkins was in, it would have looked like first point of contact was the head. At normal speed it did look bad. It's only when you see the video and get the chance to look at it in slow motion, that the facts become apparent.
Having said that, when it happened, the Roosters seemed to lift a gear and that proved the difference in what was shaping up as a very tight contest. The Bulldogs on the other hand lost the plot, got all emotive and tried to exploit the extra man at every opportunity without creating the forward momentum and concentrated attack to make the opportunities out wide. In a reverse psychology kind of way, Simpkins probably did them a favour.
The simple fact of the matter is that how much Stuart tries to say that they've been working closely on Morley's technique, he continues to go high. What technique has he been working on, going for the upper chest instead of the neck and head? Maybe having him as the player who goes in low in gang tackles is the answer.
